cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Consequences of Declining Survey Response Rates for Smoking Prevalence Estimates

Background: Response rates have been declining in statewide tobacco surveys. This study investigated whether there was associated evidence of increasing bias in smoking prevalence estimates. Methods: Demographic characteristics of respondents to tobacco surveys in Massachusetts and California were compared to population data in the early 1990s, when response rates were high, and in more recent years, when response rates were lower. State estimates of smoking prevalence at three times were compared with estimates from the Current Population Survey Tobacco Use Supplement (CPS-TUS), conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. Results: Under- and over-representation of population subgroups has not changed as response rates have declined. Smoking prevalence estimates from state surveys remain relatively close to the state-specific CPS-TUS estimates. Conclusions: There is no evidence that declining response rates have resulted in less accurate or biased estimates of smoking behavior.
On coffee talk and break-room chatter: perceptions of women who gossip in the workplace.

The present study examined perceptions of female gossipers in the workplace. Male and female participants (N = 129) were asked to think of a woman who either frequently or rarely contributed negative information about other people during conversation. Participants then completed ratings on the target using the six dimensions of the FIRO-B. As predicted, high gossipers were perceived as having a greater need to exert control of others, but less need for others to control them, than low gossipers. Higher gossipers were also perceived as less emotionally warm than low gossipers. The implications of these findings for gossip research are presented.
Knowledge graphs for information systems

Abstract Exploring data structures suitable for integrated use of expert systems and other software components of computer information systems is an important issue. In this paper, we introduce the use of knowledge tree and knowledge graph (K-tree and K-graph for short) to aid such kind of integration. We define operations on K-trees and study features of K-graphs. The use of these data structures is also briefly discussed.
Source and Listener Directivity for Interactive Wave-Based Sound Propagation

We present an approach to model dynamic, data-driven source and listener directivity for interactive wave-based sound propagation in virtual environments and computer games. Our directional source representation is expressed as a linear combination of elementary spherical harmonic (SH) sources. In the preprocessing stage, we precompute and encode the propagated sound fields due to each SH source. At runtime, we perform the SH decomposition of the varying source directivity interactively and compute the total sound field at the listener position as a weighted sum of precomputed SH sound fields. We propose a novel plane-wave decomposition approach based on higher-order derivatives of the sound field that enables dynamic HRTF-based listener directivity at runtime. We provide a generic framework to incorporate our source and listener directivity in any offline or online frequency-domain wave-based sound propagation algorithm. We have integrated our sound propagation system in Valve's Source game engine and use it to demonstrate realistic acoustic effects such as sound amplification, diffraction low-passing, scattering, localization, externalization, and spatial sound, generated by wave-based propagation of directional sources and listener in complex scenarios. We also present results from our preliminary user study.
Peptic ulcer in man. Part 3. Evaluation of ulcer therapy.

In order to evaluate properly a new antacid (Carmethose Ciba) developed in the laboratory at Michael Reese Hospital, criteria for such evaluation are presented: Any patient, after obtaining complete remission on hospital therapy, who had to be rehospitalized for perforation, hemorrhage, obstruction or intractable pain, was considered a recurrence. The mere presence of epigastric distress which could be relieved by antcid or strict diet, was not considered a recurrence, because it indicated that the patient was not following the diet, or that he was suffering from one of the possible disorders concurrent often with peptic ulcer.
Thermal environments of overwintering Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina)

Using a mixed-effects model for 21 Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina (L., 1758)) over three winters in Maryland, USA, we demonstrate that overwintering-site temperature was mainly related to air temperature. After controlling for air temperature, between-year variation accounted for 7%, between-turtle variation accounted for 3%, and variation owing to age class accounted for 1% of the total variation in overwintering-site temperature. Turtles showed overwintering-site fidelity and the location of overwintering sites did not depend on sex or age. According to the developed function, air temperature would have to increase by 3 °C over the overwintering period to raise the temperature of overwintering sites by about 1 °C, assuming no changes in other environmental factors; this level of warming is not expected until 2070–2090 according to general climate circulation models.
Ramanujan’s partial theta series and parity in partitions

A partial theta series identity from Ramanujan’s lost notebook has a connection with some parity problems in partitions studied by Andrews in Ramanujan J., to appear where 15 open problems are listed. In this paper, the partial theta series identity of Ramanujan is revisited and answers to Questions 9 and 10 of Andrews are provided.
Who AM I?: understanding high school computer science teachers' professional identity

Quality computer science (CS) teachers are critical for secondary computing education. In addition to increasing the number of high school (HS) CS teachers, there is a great need for supporting those teachers to grow and stay as committed, effective teachers. Recent literature on teacher education suggests that teachers' sense of commitment and (other aspects of) teaching profession is tightly linked with their teacher identity. However, the current educational system in the U.S. does not provide typical contexts for teachers to build a sense of identity as CS teachers. This study is intended to gain an initial understanding of CS teachers' perceptions about their own professional identity and potential factors that might contribute to these perceptions. Our findings indicate that current HS teachers teaching CS courses do not necessarily identify themselves as CS teachers. They have different perceptions related to CS teaching. Four kinds of factors can contribute to these perceptions: teachers' educational background and certification, CS curriculum and department hierarchy, availability of CS teacher community, and teachers' perceptions about the field of CS.
Corticotropin-releasing factor 1 and 2 receptors in the dorsal raphé differentially affect serotonin release in the nucleus accumbens.

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is a neurohormone that mediates stress, anxiety, and affects serotonergic activity. Studies have shown that CRF has dose-dependent opposing effects on serotonergic activity. This effect has been hypothesized to be differentially mediated by CRF(1) and CRF(2) receptors in the dorsal raphe nucleus. We directly tested this hypothesis by using in vivo microdialysis to determine the effects of CRF and CRF receptor antagonists in the dorsal raphe nucleus on serotonin (5-HT) release in the nucleus accumbens, a brain region implicated in the neuropathology of stress-related psychiatric disorders. Male urethane-anesthetized rats were implanted with a microdialysis probe into the nucleus accumbens, and CRF (0, 100 or 500 ng) was infused into the dorsal raphe. Infusion of CRF into the dorsal raphe nucleus had dose-dependent opposite effects, with 100 ng of CRF significantly decreasing 5-HT levels in the nucleus accumbens and 500 ng CRF significantly increasing accumbal 5-HT levels. In subsequent experiments, the raphe was pre-treated with the CRF(1) receptor antagonist antalarmin (0.25 microg) or the CRF(2) receptor antagonist antisauvagine-30 (ASV-30; 2 microg) prior to CRF infusion. Antagonism of CRF(1) receptors in the dorsal raphe nucleus abolished the decrease in accumbal 5-HT levels elicited by 100 ng CRF, and CRF(2) receptor antagonism in the raphe blocked the increase in accumbal 5-HT levels elicited by 500 ng CRF. These results suggest that the opposing effects of dorsal raphe CRF on 5-HT release in the nucleus accumbens are dependent on differential activation of CRF(1) and CRF(2) receptors in the dorsal raphe nucleus.
Negotiation Outcome Classification Using Language Features

In this paper we discuss the relationships among negotiations, integrative and distributive speech acts, and classification of negotiation outcome. Our findings present how using automated linguistic analysis can show the trajectory of negotiations towards convergence (resolution) or divergence (non-resolution) and how these trajectories accurately classify negotiation outcomes. Consequently, we present the results of our negotiation outcome classification study, in which we use a corpus of 20 transcripts of actual face-to-face negotiations to build and test two classification models. The first model uses language features and speech acts to place negotiation utterances onto an integrative and distributive scale. The second uses that scale to classify the negotiations themselves as successful or unsuccessful at the midpoint, three-quarters of the way through, and at the end of the negotiation. Classification accuracy rates were 80, 75, and 85 % respectively.
A Note on the Teaching of Arc Elasticity

The Abba P. Lerner alternative to the commonly used mean prices and quantities (R. G. D. Allen) to calculate arc elasticity is proposed as a superior method in the principles and intermediate microeconomic courses.
A Subfamily of P-Type ATPases with Aminophospholipid Transporting Activity

The appearance of phosphatidylserine on the surface of animal cells triggers phagocytosis and blood coagulation. Normally, phosphatidylserine is confined to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane by an aminophospholipid translocase, which has now been cloned and sequenced. The bovine enzyme is a member of a previously unrecognized subfamily of P-type adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases) that may have diverged from the primordial enzyme before the separation of the known families of ion-translocating ATPases. Studies in Saccharomyces cerevisiae suggest that aminophospholipid translocation is a general function of members of this family.
PowerPC AS A10 64-bit RISC microprocessor

The PowerPC AS™ A10 64-bit RISC microprocessor is a 4.7-million-transistor integrated circuit design, using IBM CMOS 5L 0.5-µm, 3-V, four-level-metal ASIC technology. Support for the PowerPC AS architecture is implemented in a 213-mm 2 die using a semicustom design methodology. Chip density and speed are enhanced through the use of custom macros and multiport arrays. An on-chip phase-locked-loop circuit is used to reduce chip-to-chip clock skew. Full utilization of the four-level-metal interconnect technology was achieved through architectural floorplanning, performance clustering, and timing-driven placement and wiring, with a total wire length of over 102 meters placed on the 14.6 × 14.6-mm die. The microprocessor is a pipelined, superscalar design with five separate functional units, a 4KB instruction cache, and an 8KB data cache. The design includes parity, error-correction, and error-logging functions, as well as self-test for logic and arrays during power-on. The design is robust and implements a wide range of performance configurations at the system level, allowing direct attachment of DRAM to the processor, or high-performance L2 cache options using high-speed SRAM. An on-chip system I/O bus and bus controller are provided for attachment of peripherals.
Fishhook removal: case reports and a review of the literature.

Abstract Background Fishhook injuries are common among people who fish for recreation, but can be encountered in anyone who has handled a fishhook. They represent a unique challenge for Emergency Physicians who seek to remove them without causing further tissue damage from the barbed nature of the hook. Objective Our aim was to discuss the techniques available to providers in the removal of a barbed fishhook by illustrating actual cases seen in the Emergency Department. Case Reports We present two cases of patients with fishhook injuries. We discuss the proper assessment of these injuries. We describe techniques for removing a barbed hook from a patient's skin and offer images to guide management. Conclusions Understanding the unique nature of fishhook injuries and awareness of techniques to manage them are essential to the practicing Emergency Physician.
Criteria families use to select nursing homes

The study is conducted to determine families' rankings of characteristics they consider most important when selecting a nursing home. Friedman's two-way analysis of variance is used to test for differences in the rankings. In response to a mailed survey, 231 families rank the characteristics in the following order: quality of care, appearance, atmosphere, location, reputation, building safety, quality of food, cost, and activities. Relationships are also found between the rankings and the demographic characteristics: gender, marital status, education, income, number of homes available, patient/respondent relationship, and distance respondent lived from the chosen home.
Occurrence of oxidative phosphorylations in the muscle of Ascaris lumbricoides.

Abstract The occurrence of aerobic phosphorylations in preparations of Ascaris muscle has been demonstrated. A particulate fraction of the muscle, a non-dialyzable component of the parasite's perienteric fluid and the presence of a substrate (pyruvate) and of diphosphoryridine nucleotide are required. In low concentrations dinitrophenol uncouples oxidative phosphorylations, but this effect is less pronounced or even abolished in the presence of higher concentrations of dinitrophenol.
Lipid biology of the podocyte—new perspectives offer new opportunities

Fornoni et al. discuss the role of lipid biology in podocytes in the pathogenesis of glomerulopathies focusing on diabetic kidney disease and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. They outline recent findings from genetic disorders that highlight the function of apolipoproteins in the podocyte and discuss the therapeutic implications. In the past 15 years, major advances have been made in understanding the role of lipids in podocyte biology. First, susceptibility to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and glomerular disease is associated with an APOL1 sequence variant, is expressed in podocytes and encodes apolipoprotein L1, an important component of HDL. Second, acid sphingomyelinase-like phosphodiesterase 3b encoded by SMPDL3b has a role in the conversion of sphingomyelin to ceramide and its levels are reduced in renal biopsy samples from patients with recurrent FSGS. Furthermore, decreased SMPDL3b expression is associated with increased susceptibility of podocytes to injury after exposure to sera from these patients. Third, in many individuals with membranous nephropathy, autoantibodies against the phospholipase A2 (PLA2) receptor, which is expressed in podocytes, have been identified. Whether these autoantibodies affect the activity of PLA2, which liberates arachidonic acid from glycerophospholipids and modulates podocyte function, is unknown. Fourth, clinical and experimental evidence support a role for ATP-binding cassette sub-family A member 1-dependent cholesterol efflux, free fatty acids and glycerophospolipids in the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease. An improved understanding of lipid biology in podocytes might provide insights to develop therapeutic targets for primary and secondary glomerulopathies.
Syntax-directed least-errors analysis for context-free languages: a practical approach

A least-errors recognizer is developed informally using the well-known recognizer of Earley, along with elements of Bellman's dynamic programming. The analyzer takes a general class of context-free grammars as drivers, and any finite string as input. Recognition consists of a least-errors count for a corrected version of the input relative to the driver grammar. The algorithm design emphasizes practical aspects which help in programming it.
Amino acid acceptor activity of tRNA-C-C-C-A

Abstract Rabbit liver tRNA nucleotidyltransferase was used to synthesize modified tRNA molecules containing an additional CMP residue at the 3′ terminus. In the first step tRNA-C-C was converted to tRNA-C-C-C by a minor activity of the purified enzyme. In the second step the lengthened molecules were converted to tRNA-C-C-C-A. AMP addition to tRNA-C-C-C occurred at about 50% the rate with tRNA-C-C. Aminoacylation studies indicated that tRNA-C-C-C-A was active for acceptance of at least 12 amino acids.
Indeterminacy in sentence structure

Earlier research in English grammar and discourse analysis demonstrates how thematic and informational structures in the English clause shape the structures of English texts (cf. Halliday, 1985 ; Quirk, Greenbaum, Leech, & Svartvik, 1985 ). That is, as writers compose and revise, they must master and choose the syntactic structures that allow them to vary thematic prominence and information focus in their texts (cf. Dillon, 1981 ). This article, based on a 150,000-word corpus of college compositions, analyzes the discourse functions served by thematic organization and information focus in clauses of college writers. By studying thematic and informational organization in the texts of composition students, one can capture important generalizations about the relationship between linguistic form and linguistic function, discovering that for many college composition students, specific linguistic forms are indeterminate between the functions of parataxis and hypotaxis. Those generalizations explain some of the sentence structure faults common to the writing style of college composition students.
Titration calorimetric analysis of AcylCoA recognition by myristoylCoA:protein N-myristoyltransferase.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae myristoylCoA:protein N-myristoyltransferase (Nmt1p) is an essential enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of myristic acid (C14:0) from myristoylCoA to the N-terminus of cellular proteins with a variety of functions. Nmts from an assortment of species display remarkable in vivo specificity for this rare acyl chain. To better understand the mechanisms underlying this specificity, we have used isothermal titration calorimetry as well as kinetic measurements to study the interactions of Nmt1p with acylCoA analogs having variations in chain length and/or conformation, analogs with alterations in the thioester bond, and analogs with or without a 3‘-phosphate in their CoA moiety. MyristoylCoA binds to Nmt1p with a Kd of 15 nM and a large exothermic ΔH (−25 kcal/mol). CoA derivatives of C12:0−C16:0 fatty acids bind to Nmt1p with similar affinity, but with much smaller ΔH and a correspondingly less negative TΔS than myristoylCoA. Replacing the thioester carbonyl group with a methylene or rem...
Directed evolution of nucleic acid enzymes

▪ Abstract Just as Darwinian evolution in nature has led to the development of many sophisticated enzymes, Darwinian evolution in vitro has proven to be a powerful approach for obtaining similar results in the laboratory. This review focuses on the development of nucleic acid enzymes starting from a population of random-sequence RNA or DNA molecules. In order to illustrate the principles and practice of in vitro evolution, two especially well-studied categories of catalytic nucleic acid are considered: RNA enzymes that catalyze the template-directed ligation of RNA and DNA enzymes that catalyze the cleavage of RNA. The former reaction, which involves attack of a 2′- or 3′-hydroxyl on the α-phosphate of a 5′-triphosphate, is more difficult. It requires a comparatively larger catalytic motif, containing more nucleotides than can be sampled exhaustively within a starting population of random-sequence RNAs. The latter reaction involves deprotonation of the 2′-hydroxyl adjacent to the cleavage site, resulting ...
Fractal model applied wavefront aberration for the expression of local flare

Various inputs representing exposure tool will be required for the advanced OPC in the future. Among them, local flare is difficult to account in OPC because of difficulty to make accurate model it and incorporate it in imaging simulations. In this paper we introduce a method to input the local flare in the simulations. It applies fractal model to the PSD of wavefront aberration, and it generates a model wavefront expressing local flare. This model wavefront is consistent with the disappearing pad experiments. The impact of local flare on the OPC is estimated by the imaging simulation involving the generated model wavefront.
Unmeasured skills in inter-industry wage differentials: Evidence from the apparel industry

Several recent studies have used first-differenced models to test the unmeasured-skills hypothesis with mixed results. I use matched-panel data from the CPSfrom 1983–1995 and retrospective data from the DWS from 1984–1992 to test for the possible effect of unmeasured skill on apparel workers’wages. The apparel industry provides a better test of the unmeasured-skills hypothesis than the overall economy because the likelihood of noncompetitive distortions to the wage is small. My results indicate that between 64 and 80 percent of the apparel industry differential is caused by skills unmeasured in standard OLS regressions, suggesting competitive wages for workers moving between apparels and other industries.
A molecular model for the mechanism of acquired tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer.

Abstract Purpose Oestrogen (E2)-stimulated growth re-emerges after a c-Src inhibitor blocking E2-induced apoptosis. A resulting cell line, MCF-7:PF, is selected with features of functional oestrogen receptor (ER) and over-expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor beta (IGF-1Rβ). We addressed the question of whether the selective ER modulator (SERM), 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT) or other SERMs could target ER to prevent E2-stimulated growth in MCF-7:PF cells. Methods Protein levels of receptors and signalling pathways were examined by immunoblotting. Expression of mRNA was measured through real-time RT-PCR. Recruitment of ER or nuclear receptor coactivator 3 (SRC3) to the promoter of ER-target gene was detected by chromatin-immunoprecipitation (ChIP). Results 4-OHT and other SERMs stimulated cell growth in an ER-dependent manner. However, unlike E2, 4-OHT suppressed classical ER-target genes as does the pure antioestrogen ICI 182,780 (ICI). ChIP assay indicated that 4-OHT did not recruit ER or SRC3 to the promoter of ER-target gene, pS2. Paradoxically, 4-OHT reduced total IGF-1Rβ but increased phosphorylation of IGF-1Rβ. Mechanistic studies revealed that 4-OHT functioned as an agonist to enhance the non-genomic activity of ER and activate focal adhesion molecules to further increase phosphorylation of IGF-1Rβ. Disruption of membrane-associated signalling, IGF-1R and focal adhesion kinase (FAK), completely abolished 4-OHT-stimulated cell growth. Conclusions This study is the first to recapitulate a cellular model in vitro of acquired tamoxifen resistance developed in athymic mice in vivo. Importantly, it provides a rationale that membrane-associated pathways may be valuable therapeutic targets for tamoxifen resistant patients in clinic.
Coralline and Associated Carbonates from Florida Bank (Pliocene), Lee and Collier Counties, Florida: ABSTRACT

Forty-five rock cores have defined a north-south-trending coralline limestone on the middle of the Florida platform. This is the only known Pliocene bank reef in the Caribbean and differs from Pliocene and Holocene shelf-edge reefs. This bank reef differs from shelf-edge reefs in that (1) its dimensions are smaller, having a maximum thickness of 6 m; (2) pycnodont oyster and molluscan packstones dominate the interreef beds; (3) marine muds are not as abundant; (4) the number of subaerial discontinuities and associated calcitic muds are greater; and (5) dolomitization is not as extensive and appears to be restricted to the oyster facies. Coralline limestones have been interpreted as boundstones, bioclastic packstones, and monospecific bafflestones. Coralline boundstones usually are divided into two growth episodes separated by calcitic mudstones or subaerial laminated crusts. Oysters and molluscan-rich limestones commonly display current sorting and packing and fining-upward sequences that may be analogous to Holocene sequences associated with sea grasses and/or storm deposits. Environmental information derived from fossils and texture indicates shallow to moderate water depths and moderate energy conditions with sporadic storm events. Detailed petrographic analysis has identified products of marine, mixing, and freshwater phreatic and vadose diagenetic environments associated with transgressive-regressive cycles related to glaciation. Studied limestones range from 6 m above to 14 m below present sea level in elevation and therefore have been subjected to repeated changing conditions. A complete record of the diagenetic history is lacking in any single rock because of dissolution processes or early tight cementation. End_of_Article - Last_Page 605------------
A Tidal Disruption Flare in A1689 from an Archival X-ray Survey of Galaxy Clusters

Theory suggests that a star making a close passage by a supermassive black hole at the center of a galaxy can under most circumstances be expected to emit a giant flare of radiation as it is disrupted and a portion of the resulting stream of shock-heated stellar debris falls back onto the black hole itself. We examine the first results of an ongoing archival survey of galaxy clusters using Chandra and XMM-Newton-selected data and report a likely tidal disruption flare from SDSS J131122.15-012345.6 in A1689. The flare is observed to vary by a factor of 30 over at least two years to have maximum LX (0.3-3.0 keV) 5 × 1042 erg s–1 and to emit as a blackbody with kT ~ 0.12 keV. From the galaxy population as determined by existing studies of the cluster, we estimate a tidal disruption rate of 1.2 × 10–4 galaxy–1 yr–1 if we assume a contribution to the observable rate from galaxies whose range of luminosities corresponds to a central black hole mass (M •) between 106 and 108 M ☉.
The Magnesium Arc Spectrum in the Near Infrared

Wavelength and intensity measurements on prominent lines in the near infrared spectrum of Mg I have been made with a recording spectrograph using arc and hollow cathode sources. New wavelength data indicate some multiplet structure not previously observed and provide new information on certain energy level values.
Supporting real-time analysis of multimedia communication sessions

We have developed a set of interactive tools for collecting, annotating, and analyzing group communication sessions. These tools have been used to model group meetings which we have enacted on our computer-based video conferencing system as well as single location meetings. The purpose of this work is to support the analysis of group meetings over computer-based video conferencing systems. The resulting analysis can be used for various purposes including creating meeting summaries, identifying communication patterns, facilitating group communication, and suggesting agendas for follow-on meetings. The current system is used for off-line annotation and analysis of communication sessions which involve various parallel media tracks including the video and audio component for each participant, the text transcription of the meeting, and various documents and media forms referenced during the session. In this paper we review these tools and describe an architecture for employing these techniques for real-time feedback to a communication session. Real-time feedback could include suggestions for materials and individuals to include in the current meeting, change of topic, and suggesting problem solving strategies.
Redefining the impact of oxygen and hyperventilation after the Norwood procedure.

Abstract Objective Postoperative management after the Norwood procedure is aimed at optimizing systemic oxygen delivery and mixed venous oxygen saturation. High levels of fraction of inspired oxygen and hyperventilation may increase pulmonary blood flow at the expense of systemic flow. This study determines the effects of these interventions on mixed venous saturation and systemic oxygen delivery in postoperative neonates. Methods We prospectively studied the effects of 100% fraction of inspired oxygen and hyperventilation in 14 neonates (median age 8 days) 1 to 3 days after the Norwood procedure, while they were sedated, paralyzed, and mechanically ventilated. After establishment of baseline conditions (fraction of inspired oxygen=29% ± 2%, normal ventilation), patients were exposed to each of the 2 interventions in random order. Mixed venous saturation was measured through a transthoracic line in the superior vena cava. Oxygen excess factor (Ω = systemic oxygen delivery/oxygen consumption) was used as an indicator of systemic oxygen delivery. Results High levels of fraction of inspired oxygen produced significant increases from baseline in systemic saturation (90% ± 1% vs 80% ± 1%, P P P Conclusions High levels of fraction of inspired oxygen can improve mixed venous oxygen saturation and systemic oxygen delivery after the Norwood procedure. Hyperventilation does not change either mixed venous saturation or oxygen delivery. Management protocols aimed at minimizing the fraction of inspired oxygen and carefully controlling ventilation may not be warranted.
Architecture and algorithms of the Xphone multimedia communication system

We describe the architecture and the algorithms used in Columbia University'sXphone multimedia communication system. The system assumes a “best-effort” operating system and network and provides facilities for call management, intra-application scheduling for the support of continuous data flow and integration with the windowing system, and synchronized video/audio acquisition/playback (locally or across a network) with minimized and bounded end-to-end delay. An algorithm based on time-stamps and device-state information is used for synchronization. The effects of jitter (delay variation) are mitigated with silence detection; the end-to-end delay is kept bounded by a restart mechanism. Finally, for live video sources, we describe a source bit-rate adaptation algorithm that maximizes the video image quality to the available network bandwidth and video display window size.
Cytokine Expression by First-Trimester Human Chorionic Villi

PROBLEM: Communication at the human maternal-fetal interface occurs by an intricate cytokine network. This study examines cytokine expression by normal first-trimester human chorionic villi. METHOD OF STUDY: Tissues were obtained at elective pregnancy terminations (7-9 weeks). Total RNA was isolated from chorionic villi by guanidinium isothiocynate-acid phenol extraction. A reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction technique was used to examine cytokine expression. β-Actin was used as the housekeeping gene, and mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes served as positive controls. RESULTS: β-Actin was uniformly expressed by all chorionic villous samples. Interferon (IFN)-α and -β also were highly expressed. Moderate expression was noted for interleukin (IL)-10, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-1β. In contrast, transforming growth factor-β1, IFN-γ. IL-2, and IL-1α were either weakly expressed or absent in first-trimester villi. CONCLUSIONS: Cytokines may contribute to pregnancy immunotolerance (IFN-α, IFN-β, and IL-10), viral resistance (IFNs), hormone secretion (IL-I and IL-6), and cellular remodeling (IFN-γ and TNF-α) within the chorionic villous.
Educators' Interpretations of Ambiguous Accommodations

This exploratory case study examined how general and special education teachers in one school district interpreted three frequently used accommodations. Although a majority of both groups agreed on interpretations of extended time, there was little agreement, considerable variation, and some contradiction in their understanding of the changes intended by scribing and preferential seating. Recommendations include suggestions for replacing ambiguous accommodations with functional descriptions, linking accommodations more directly with barriers presented by disabilities, and paying particular attention to ensuring that interpretations are shared as students move through their school experience.
The accuracy of Medicare's hospital claims data: progress has been made, but problems remain.

BACKGROUND. Health care databases provide a widely used source of data for health care research, but their accuracy remains uncertain. We analyzed data from the 1985 National DRG Validation Study, which carefully reabstracted and reassigned ICD-9-CM diagnosis and procedure codes from a national sample of 7050 medical records, to determine whether coding accuracy had improved since the Institute of Medicine studies of the 1970s and to assess the current coding accuracy of specific diagnoses and procedures. METHODS. We defined agreement as the proportion of all reabstracted records that had the same principal diagnosis or procedure coded on both the original (hospital) record and on the reabstracted record. We also evaluated coding accuracy in 1985 using the concepts of diagnostic test evaluation. RESULTS. Overall, the percentage of agreement between the principal diagnosis on the reabstracted record and the original hospital record, when analyzed at the third digit, improved from 73.2% in 1977 to 78.2% in ...
Ethical implications of the human-animal bond in the laboratory.

This analysis of the moral implications of a human-animal bond in a research setting begins by describing a set of criteria that delineate the human-animal bond in general and form the foundation on which moral issues rest. Questions about if, when, and how such bonds are formed are discussed briefly; the discussion focuses on how the concept of a human-animal bond fits into standard moral theories. The conclusion is that "impartial" theories such as utilitarianism and deontological theories must be supplemented with an "ethics of caring" and that the moral duties engendered by the human-animal bond are best identified with such a supplemented theory.
Frequency response method for terrain classification in autonomous ground vehicles

Many autonomous ground vehicle (AGV) missions, such as those related to agricultural applications, search and rescue, or reconnaissance and surveillance, require the vehicle to operate in difficult outdoor terrains such as sand, mud, or snow. To ensure the safety and performance of AGVs on these terrains, a terrain-dependent driving and control system can be implemented. A key first step in implementing this system is autonomous terrain classification. It has recently been shown that the magnitude of the spatial frequency response of the terrain is an effective terrain signature. Furthermore, since the spatial frequency response is mapped by an AGV's vibration transfer function to the frequency response of the vibration measurements, the magnitude of the latter frequency responses also serve as a terrain signature. Hence, this paper focuses on terrain classification using vibration measurements. Classification is performed using a probabilistic neural network, which can be implemented online at relatively high computational speeds. The algorithm is applied experimentally to both an ATRV-Jr and an eXperimental Unmanned Vehicle (XUV) at multiple speeds. The experimental results show the efficacy of the proposed approach.
Differential effects of insulin on sympathetic nerve activity in agouti obese mice.

Objective Hyperinsulinemia, which often coexists withobesity and type 2 diabetes, is a major risk factor forcardiovascular disease and thought to promotehypertension through the sympathetic effects of insulin.Here, we examined the effect of insulin on regionalsympathetic nerve activity (SNA) in obesity.Methods Glucose and insulin tolerance tests wereperformed to examine insulin sensitivity in agouti obesemice. We used also multiﬁber recording to compare theregional SNA response to intracerebroventricular (ICV)insulin between lean and agouti obese mice.Results Agouti obese mice have signiﬁcantly elevatedlevels of blood glucose and plasma insulin associated withglucoseintoleranceandinsulinresistance.Inleanmice,ICVadministration of insulin (20 and 100mU) caused a dose-dependentincreaseinSNAsubservinghindlimb,kidneyandbrown adipose tissue (BAT). Of note, the regional SNAresponses to insulin were differentially altered in agoutiobese mice. Whereas lumbar SNA response to insulin wasintact in the obese mice, renal and BAT sympatheticactivation to insulin were signiﬁcantly attenuated in theseagouti obese mice. Finally, we assessed the role ofphosphoinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway inmediating sympathetic activation to insulin in obesity.Notably, ICV pretreatment with a PI3K inhibitor (LY294002)blocked the increase in lumbar SNA induced by ICV insulinin lean and agouti obese mice.Conclusions Our data suggest a differential regulation byinsulin of sympathetic outﬂow to peripheral tissues inobesity. Our ﬁndings also demonstrate the importance ofPI3K in lumbar sympathetic activation to insulin in obesity.J Hypertens 28:000–000 Q 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health |Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Understanding and Improving Management of Inpatient Diabetes Mellitus: The Mayo Clinic Arizona Experience

We present an overview of strategies our institution has taken to understand the state of its inpatient diabetes management. We first describe how we utilized information systems to assess inpatient glycemic control and insulin management in noncritically ill patients and discuss our findings regarding mean bedside glucose levels, the prevalence and frequency hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic events, the patterns of insulin therapy, and evidence of inpatient clinical inertia. We also review the development of a survey to determine practitioner attitudes and beliefs about inpatient diabetes. Results of this survey study found that, in general, practitioners believed in the importance of controlling hyperglycemia but were not comfortable with many aspects of inpatient diabetes care, particularly with the use of insulin. Finally, we suggest steps to follow in developing a quality-improvement program for hospitals.
Oxidation of zirconium—A critical review of literature

Abstract Perhaps, with the exception of copper and nickel, zirconium has undergone the most extensive oxidation studies within the last decade or so. The vast interest in the oxidation behavior of zirconium stems mainly from two reasons. Firstly, zirconium alloys are of primary importance in nuclear reactor technology. Due to their low cross section for thermal neutrons and because of their relatively good corrosion resistance against water and steam, these alloys may be considered as favourable materials for many structural components, e.g., cladding tubes for water-cooled nuclear reactors. Consequently, investigations into the oxidation behavior of zirconium are necessary if the more intricate corrosion characteristics of zirconium alloys are to be better understood. Secondly, the zirconium-oxygen system is rather simple when compared with many other metal-oxygen systems. Because of this simplicity, zirconium is amenable to fundamental studies of the oxidation mechanism(s) and the obtained results can be of paramount importance in investigating more complex oxidation kinetics, e.g., oxidation of titanium. The present review is primarily concerned with the kinetics and phenomena associated with the oxidation of “pure” zirconium metal by oxygen gas.
A 12 b digital-background-calibrated algorithmic ADC with -90 dB THD

The linearity of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) is often limited by component mismatches. Trimming can be used to achieve high linearity but cannot track variations over time caused by component aging or by temperature and power-supply changes. Background calibration overcomes this limitation. However, previous background-calibration methods require complicated post processing, occupy some of the range of the analog signal under conversion, or are tailored for a specific type of converter. This ADC uses a queue-based architecture for creating calibration time slots without disturbing the sampling of the input signal. The digital background calibration uses an adaptive algorithm to improve linearity. The queue-based architecture for generating the calibration time slots and the digital-background-calibration method are independent and can be used separately.
Exploratory modeling of forest disturbance scenarios in central Oregon using computational experiments in GIS

Abstract Exploratory modeling is an approach used when process and/or parameter uncertainties are such that modeling attempts at realistic prediction are not appropriate. Exploratory modeling makes use of computational experimentation to test how varying model scenarios drive model outcome. The goal of exploratory modeling is to better understand the system of interest through delineation of plausible boundaries, description of patterns within multidimensional model space, and to the extent possible, quantification of the likelihood of occurrence of different model outcomes. This study makes use of exploratory modeling in GIS to delineate boundaries of likely and plausible variability in past Oregon forests due to natural fire disturbance processes interacting with climate change, and compares those with current forests modified by harvest disturbance and with a hypothetical forest scenario. The implications of different forest landscapes for biodiversity are quantified, using a rule base constructed from empirical data describing forest age class, elevation, and heterogeneity requirements by species. Results show: 1) a wide range of natural forest structure plausibly existed in the past, 2) portions of the current forest are outside of the most liberal models of the natural range of forest variability, and 3) large changes in forest structure produce relatively small changes in biodiversity indicators. These findings suggest that disturbance processes (natural or human) that retain forested land cover but alter forest age class structure do not have a strong impact on biodiversity. As an exploratory exercise, the findings are not the end objective; rather, they serve as a basis for dialogue about which forest landscape factors are most important for assessment of biodiversity impacts.
Emergency and institutional crisis in Peru during El Nino 1982–1983

From December 1982 through July 1983, Peru was plagued by disastrous consequences of El Nino/Southern Oscillation phenomenon. While the northern part of the country was devastated by torrential rains and floods, central Andean Peru endured landslides and flash floods, the southern Altiplano suffered a severe drought. Hazard preparedness was nonexistent, and official disaster relief uncoordinated and slow in coming. Administrative inefficiency magnified the stress upon the populations under disaster conditions. Provisions of disaster training from specialized international organizations is recommended as a preventive measure and as a policy to improve catastrophe-coping abilities in developing nations.
cAMP Signal Transduction Cascade, a Novel Pathway for the Regulation of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Production in Coronary Blood Vessels

Abstract —The aim of this study was to determine whether cAMP signal transduction plays a role in the regulation of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) production. Canine coronary blood vessels were isolated, and nitrite, the hydration product of NO, from these vessels was quantified by using the Griess reaction. Forskolin (10−4 mol/L), 8-bromo-cAMP (10−2 mol/L), or isoproterenol (10−4 mol/L) significantly increased nitrite release to 168±10, 162±13, or 149±13 pmol/mg, respectively, from isolated coronary microvessels (all P <0.05; control, 86±3 pmol/mg). Adrenomedullin and calcitonin gene–related peptide (CGRP), both potent vasodilator peptides, also increased coronary microvascular nitrite production. N ω -nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, a competitive inhibitor of NO synthase, or Rp-cAMP, a protein kinase A inhibitor, markedly blocked the nitrite release induced by these agents. Forskolin and adrenomedullin also potentiated coronary NO production induced by bradykinin. In large coronary arteries, removal of the endothelium eliminated nitrite production to both forskolin and acetylcholine. Our data demonstrate that stimulation of cAMP signal transduction can substantially increase coronary NO production, indicating that there is a cAMP-mediated, endothelial NO–forming system in coronary blood vessels. Because the cAMP signal cascade can be activated by CGRP or adrenomedullin and enhance kinin-mediated nitrite production, the cAMP-NO pathway may play an important role in the regulation of cardiovascular function.
Efficient recognition of substrates and substrate analogs by the adenine glycosylase MutY requires the C-terminal domain

The Escherichia coli DNA repair enzyme MutY plays an important role in the prevention of DNA mutations by removing misincorporated adenine residues from 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine:2′-deoxyadenosine (OG:A) mispairs. The N-terminal domain of MutY (Stop 225, Met1–Lys225) has a sequence and structure that is characteristic of a superfamily of base excision repair glycosylases; however, MutY and its homologs contain a unique C-terminal domain. Previous studies have shown that the C-terminal domain confers specificity for OG:A substrates over G:A substrates and exhibits homology to the d(OG)TPase MutT, suggesting a role in OG recognition. In order to provide additional information on the importance of the C-terminal domain in damage recognition, we have investigated the kinetic properties of a form lacking this domain (Stop 225) under multiple- and single-turnover conditions. In addition, the interaction of Stop 225 with a series of non-cleavable substrate and product analogs was evaluated using gel retardation assays and footprinting experiments. Under multiple-turnover conditions Stop 225 exhibits biphasic kinetic behavior with both OG:A and G:A substrates, likely due to rate-limiting DNA product release. However, the rate of turnover of Stop 225 was increased 2-fold with OG:A substrates compared to the wild-type enzyme. In contrast, the intrinsic rate for adenine removal by Stop 225 from both G:A and OG:A substrates is significantly reduced (10- to 25-fold) compared to the wild-type. The affinity of Stop 225 for substrate analogs was dramatically reduced, as was the ability to discriminate between substrate analogs paired with OG over G. Interestingly, similar hydroxyl radical and DMS footprinting patterns are observed for Stop 225 and wild-type MutY bound to DNA duplexes containing OG opposite an abasic site mimic or a non-hydrogen bonding A analog, suggesting that similar regions of the DNA are contacted by both enzyme forms. Importantly, Stop 225 has a reduced ability to prevent DNA mutations in vivo. This implies that the reduced adenine glycosylase activity translates to a reduced capacity of Stop 225 to prevent DNA mutations in vivo.