cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cutaneous T‐cell Lymphoma of 12 Years Duration Initially Presenting in a Two Year Old

A 14-year-old Caucasian girl presented with an eczematous patch on the left proximal inner arm of 12 years duration. She had previously been treated with emollients and topical steroids without complete resolution. The patient denied constitutional symptoms but did note eczematous patches on her buttocks of one-year duration and new eczematous patches on her inner left thigh and right inner upper arm. Upon exam, all lesions were slightly scaly without induration. The primary lesion was a poikilodermatous 4 × 10 cm rough plaque. No lymphadenopathy was noted. A total of five lesional biopsies were obtained. All of the biopsies demonstrated a superficial infiltrate of atypical lymphocytes with cerebriform nuclei and prominent epidermotropism including the formation of Pautrier’s microabcesses. The diagnosis of mycosis fungoides was rendered. This case is significant for its onset at two years of age, the benignity of its course over a 12 year period and the long duration before definitive diagnosis was obtained. Mycosis fungoides needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of recalcitrant eczematous disease even in young children.
Facile synthesis of block copolypeptides of defined architecture

Many natural polymeric materials (particularly structural proteins) display a hierarchy of structure over several length scales. Block copolymers are able to self-assemble into ordered nanostructures1,2, but the random-coiled nature of their polymer chains usually suppresses any further levels of organization. The use of components with regular structures, such as rigid-rod polymers, can increase the extent of spatial organization in self-assembling materials3. But the synthesis of such polymeric components typically involves complicated reaction steps that are not suitable for large-scale production. Proteins form hierarchically organized structures in which the fundamental motifs are generally α-helical coils and β-sheets4. Attempts to synthesize polypeptides with well-defined amino-acid sequences, which might adopt similar organized structures, have been plagued by unwanted side reactions5 that give rise to products with a wide range of molecular weights6,7,8,9,10, hampering the formation of well-defined peptide block copolymers11,12,13,14,15,16,17. Here I describe a polymerization strategy that overcomes these difficulties by using organonickel initiators which suppress chain-transfer and termination side reactions. This approach allows the facile synthesis of block copolypeptides with well-defined sequences, which might provide new peptide-based biomaterials with potential applications in tissue engineering, drug delivery and biomimetic composite formation.
Clinical Features to Identify Urinary Tract Infection in Nursing Home Residents: A Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES: To identify clinical features associated with bacteriuria plus pyuria in noncatheterized nursing home residents with clinically suspected urinary tract infection (UTI). DESIGN: Prospective, observational cohort study from 2005 to 2007. SETTING: Five New Haven, Connecticut area nursing homes. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred fifty-one nursing home residents each followed for 1 year for the development of clinically suspected UTI. MEASUREMENTS: The combined outcome of bacteriuria (>100,000 colony forming units from urine culture) plus pyuria (>10 white blood cells from urinalysis). RESULTS: After 178,914 person-days of follow-up, 228 participants had 399 episodes of clinically suspected UTI with a urinalysis and urine culture performed; 147 episodes (36.8%) had bacteriuria plus pyuria. The clinical features associated with bacteriuria plus pyuria were dysuria (relative risk (RR)=1.58, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.10–2.03), change in character of urine (RR=1.42, 95% CI=1.07-1.79), and change in mental status (RR=1.38, 95% CI=1.03–1.74). CONCLUSION: Dysuria, change in character of urine, and change in mental status were significantly associated with the combined outcome of bacteriuria plus pyuria. Absence of these clinical features identified residents at low risk of having bacteriuria plus pyuria (25.5%), whereas presence of dysuria plus one or both of the other clinical features identified residents at high risk of having bacteriuria plus pyuria (63.2%). Diagnostic uncertainty still remains for the vast majority of residents who meet only one clinical feature. If validated in future cohorts, these clinical features with bacteriuria plus pyuria may serve as an evidence-based clinical definition of UTI to assist in management decisions.
The Impact of Exchange Rate Variability on Agricultural Exports of Developing Countries: The Case of Turkey

Abstract This paper examines the impact of exchange rate and its volatility on the Turkish agricultural exports in the framework of error-correction model. The error correction model results indicate that except a few countries, the exchange rate and its variability do not have significant impact on Turkish exports of dried figs, grapes and tobacco. Thus, policies designed to increase the export level of Turkish agricultural products by incorporating weak Turkish lira against other currencies are not likely to be effective. The policy makers, therefore, should take into account the ineffectiveness of exchange rate on stimulating agricultural exports in their new policy designs.
A model for the effective thermal and mechanical properties of cracked UO/sub 2/ pellets

An alternate thermal-mechanical behavior model for cracked UO/sub 2/ pelletized fuel is presented. It is recognized that fuel cracking and relocation cause some of the initial pellet-cladding gap (the ''free area'') to be moved into the fuel in the form of cracks. The introduction of this free area into the fuel causes the fuel effective thermal conductivity and effective elastic moduli to be simultaneously reduced to values significantly less than laboratory data for solid pellets. Hooke's Law and a crack compliance model are used to deduce the effective fuel conductivity and moduli from simultaneous in-reactor measurements of rod power, fuel center temperature, and cladding elongation. The fuel-cladding ''gap'' is considered as another ''crack,'' and is also described by the crack compliance model, which predicts that there is always some finite amount of fuelcladding contact. The primary thermal mechanical feedback mechanism is found to be due to crack closure effects on fuel effective thermal conductivity, rather than gap closure effects on gap conductance.
Modeling of microplasmas from GHz to THz

We present a study of atmospheric-pressure microdischarges sustained over a wide range of continuous excitation frequencies. A fluid model is used to describe the spatial and temporal evolution of the plasma properties within a 200 μm discharge gap. At 0.5 GHz, the behavior is similar to a typical rf collisional discharge. As frequency increases at constant power density, we observe a decrease in the discharge voltage from greater than 100 V to less than 10 V. A minimum of the voltage amplitude is attained when electron temporal inertia delays the discharge current to be in phase with the applied voltage. Above this frequency, the plasma develops resonant regions where the excitation frequency equals the local plasma frequency. In these volumes, the instantaneous quasi-neutrality is perturbed and intense internal currents emerge ensuring a low voltage operation range. This enhanced plasma heating mechanism vanishes when the excitation frequency is larger than the local plasma frequency everywhere in the p...
2-Amino-2′-carboxydiphenylacetylenes as β-turn mimetics. synthesis and conformational properties

Abstract Peptide-linked 2-amino-2′ -carboxydiphenylacetylenes 1 by 1 H NMR spectroscopy are shown to assume short sheet structures with distinctive CD signatures.
The effects of femoral graft placement on in vivo knee kinematics after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Achieving anatomical graft placement remains a concern in Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to quantify the effect of femoral graft placement on the ability of ACL reconstruction to restore normal knee kinematics under in vivo loading conditions. Two different groups of patients were studied: one in which the femoral tunnel was placed near the anterior and proximal border of the ACL (anteroproximal group, n=12) and another where the femoral tunnel was placed near the center of the ACL (anatomic group, n=10) MR imaging and biplanar fluoroscopy were used to measure in vivo kinematics in these patients during a quasi-static lunge. Patients with anteroproximal graft placement had up to 3.4mm more anterior tibial translation, 1.1mm more medial tibial translation and 3.7° more internal tibial rotation compared to the contralateral side. Patients with anatomic graft placement had motion that more closely replicated that of the intact knee, with anterior tibial translation within 0.8mm, medial tibial translation within 0.5mm, and internal tibial rotation within 1°. Grafts placed anteroproximally on the femur likely provide insufficient restraint to these motions due to a more vertical orientation. Anatomical femoral placement of the graft is more likely to reproduce normal ACL orientation, resulting in a more stable knee. Therefore, achieving anatomical graft placement on the femur is crucial to restoring normal knee function and may decrease the rates of joint degeneration after ACL reconstruction.
Assessment of preterm infants' behavior (APIB) : confirmatory factor analysis of behavioral constructs

Abstract Confirmatory analysis was used to specify behavioral domains from results of the Assessment for Preterm Infants' Behavior (APIB). The APIB measures both task performance and quality of performance, which theoretically improves the possibility of discriminating infant functional capacity beyond that obtained by measuring task performance exclusively. We hypothesized that the APIB measures six behavioral domains, including overall modulation of behavior, availability for examination, motor competency, sociability, habituation, and reactivity. The subjects were a medically heterogeneous group of 145 infants who required neonatal intensive care. Data from 157 behavioral and 41 reflex items, out of a possible 280 items, were used. The model was highly acceptable by several practical indices of fit (Bentler-Bonett Normed Fit Index = .994; Bentler-Bonett Nonnormed Fit Index = .999; Comparative Fit Index = .999). The six behavioral constructs are clinically understandable and parsimonious with respect to the behavioral measures included. The results suggest that prerequisites for social interaction of infants requiring neonatal intensive care include both overall modulation and availability, which are unique and distinct from each other and from motor competency and habituation.
Dialysis-associated steal syndrome.

A 50-year-old kidney transplant recipient presented to transplant dermatology in April 2008 with a three-month history of questionable onychomycosis involving the right fingernails. He had undergone a kidney transplant in 1989, secondary to diabetic renal disease. Subsequent graft failure had necessitated the creation of a radial artery to cephalic vein arterio-venous fistula (AVF) in the right forearm in December 2005 for hemodialysis. He had received hemodialysis exclusively from this AVF since his left arm arteriovenous graft was removed in August 2007. Since then, he complained of resting right hand pain and paresthesias exacerbated by activity. There was reduced return of blood during hemolysis. Doppler ultrasound in November 2007 had demonstrated severe stenosis at the anastomosis with no dominant draining vein and reversal of flow in the distal radial artery. A procedure had been done at that time (Figure 1). The patient had no known vascular disease. Figure 1 A Side-to-side fistula between cephalic vein and radial artery with stenosis at the anastomosis, catheter tip in the radial artery. Before dilation. B. The same fistula after balloon dilation, catheter tip in the cephalic vein. On physical examination in April 2008, the right hand was cool, pale, and noncyanotic. There was reduced sensation in the digits, intact strength, and weaker radial and ulnar pulses in the right hand. The AVF had a thrill and bruit, and was pulsatile. There was proximal shedding of three fingernails and an index finger ulcer on the right hand (Figure 2A). KOH preparation of subungual debris was negative for fungus. Figure 2 A. Patient’s right hand fingers on initial presentation to transplant dermatology in April 2008. Onychomadesis of three fingernails and an index finger ulcer is seen. B. Patient’s right hand at follow up in March 2009. Fingernails have ... In May 2008, the AVF was ligated and his symptoms rapidly resolved. In June, the patient underwent a second kidney transplant. By March 2009, the fingernails had regrown and the ulcer had healed (Figure 2B).
Microporous surgical tape in wound closure and skin grafting

Summary Experiences with microporous surgical tape in wound closure and skin grafting during a twenty months' trial period are reported. Many compelling advantages of adhesive tape over suture for wound closure suggest continue use of the tape and refinement of the technique of manufacture, packaging, and application.
Biochemical changes in spleens of rats after localized x-irradiation.

SummaryMeasurements of the adenosine triphosphatase activity, the 5-nucleotidase activity, the desoxyribonucleic acid concentration, citric acid synthesis and the histologic appearance of the spleens of rats given 800 r of whole body x-irradiation and the same dose of x-ray to the exteriorized spleens with the remainder of the body shielded were made. Shielding the body during irradiation of spleen prevented the large increases in the activity of phosphatases which occur in the spleen after whole body irradiation. Prevention of the inhibitory effect of x-ray on citrate synthesis and a much smaller decrease in desoxyribonucleic acid content of the spleen as well as less severe histologic changes were observed in the spleens of body shielded rats. The results of this study indicate that x-ray does not exert a direct effect on the enzymes involved in the biochemical reactions which were studied.
Finding a Book for Jamal: Recommending Text Types for at-Home Reading of Beginning Readers Who Struggle

The purpose of this study was to determine what types of texts would best support the at-home reading for a first grader who struggled with reading. Results of running records for 12 books of varying text types indicated he used visual cues, picture cues, and his schema as he attempted to read. Ten of 12 of the texts were hard for him to read. Most interesting about his transactions with the books were his spontaneous embedded oral narratives (EONs)—similar to think-alouds—which he constructed primarily from the illustrations. Furthermore, in contrast to little books, trade books encouraged EONs that were more like the language used in the books. Recommendations for choosing books for at-home reading and for parent support of readers who struggle are included.
99Tcm-MDP uptake by lymph nodes following tracer infiltration: clinical and laboratory evaluation.

Uptake of bone scanning agents in non-osseous sites has been described in a variety of pathologic conditions including tumor metastases. We have seen several patients in which such uptake was proximal and ipsilateral to the injection site of 99Tcm-methylene diphosphonate, apparently in normal lymph nodes. To further investigate this phenomenon, it was studied in a rat model. Activity in popliteal nodes ipsilateral to the injection site was over 60-fold greater in the animals that received subcutaneous (s.q.) footpad injection compared to femoral IV injection. Ipsilateral popliteal node activity in the s.q. group was 159 times that of contralateral popliteal nodes, with an ipsilateral node to liver ratio of 184:1. In summary, dramatically increased uptake of 99Tcm-MDP in normal lymph nodes ipsilateral and proximal to an extravasated injection has been demonstrated. An awareness of this phenomenon in the clinical setting can avoid confusion with pathologic forms of soft tissue uptake.
Location along the muscle's length is a determinant of myofibril size.

Abstract In a previous study of myofibril size in ‘Pale’ (fast-twitch-glycolytic) fibers of rabbit extraocular muscle (EOM), it was found that individual long Pale fibers demonstrate a substantial increase in the size of myofibril profiles from their proximal to their distal halves (Davidowitz et al., 1996b). That finding raised the question of whether such proximal-to-distal increase of myofibril size in the Pale fibers is determined by: (1) longitudinal position within the individual muscle fibers themselves or (2) location along the length of the muscle as a whole? This question was tested in the present study by comparing the original group of long Pale fibers, which extend the full length of the muscle, with two groups of short Pale fibers, which are respectively confined to the proximal and distal halves of the muscle. It was found that (a) in the proximal half of the muscle, the short fibers and the adjacent portions of the long fibers have the same smaller size of myofibrils, and (b) in the distal half of the muscle, the short fibers and the adjacent portions of the long fibers have the same larger size of myofibrils. This finding indicates that the proximal-to-distal increase of myofibril-profile size in these EOM Pale fibers is determined by location along the length of the muscle as a whole, and is not related to longitudinal position within the individual fibers themselves.
Effect of foil material on the apparent yield of the 124Xe(p, x)123I reaction

Abstract The effect of the foil material on the recovery of Xe-123 from the irradiation cell used for the measurement of the production of I-123 from the proton reaction on xenon-124 has been studied. The metal used for the foil can have a significant effect on the amount of Xe-123 which can be cryogenically pumped out of the irradiation cell at 30 min after the end of irradiation. Foils made from several metals and alloys were tested. Of these, the effect is most pronounced with “Havar” alloy foil where only 58% of the theoretically available activity was recovered. This effect should be considered and tested in the measurement of reaction cross-sections in irradiation cells and targets which have metal foils.
Defining the Dynamic Conformational Networks of Cross-β Peptide Assembly

Structurally defined cross-β assemblies have allowed for the development of basis sets for isotope-edited infrared spectra to follow progressive assembly over time. These basis sets, composed of a minimal number of individual spectra, are sufficient to identify the populations of polymorphs evolving throughout the assembly process. This approach provides, for the first time, the spectral assignment and relative distribution of paracrystalline intermediates formed from the intermolecular molten globule phase where nucleation occurs. Using the basis sets, we can now follow how subtle changes in assembly energetics impact the accessible polymorphs along the assembly pathway. Here, simple methylation of the Gln22 side chain of the nucleating core of the Dutch mutant of the Aβ of Alzheimer’s disease, Aβ(16-22)E22Q, dramatically increases the distribution of sampled polymorphs and slows progression to the final thermodynamic assembly. These data establish that amyloid cross-β structures can assemble through a dynamic conformational phylogeny. This fluid context-dependent network, so accessible to simple peptides, may provide the basis for the conformational selection and evolution of the complex supramolecular assemblies implicated in the many protein misfolding and prion diseases.
A method for modeling the local and global buckling of delaminated composite plates

An analytical methodology is presented for predicting the buckling initiation of delaminated composite plates. Both global and local sublaminate buckling deformation modes are predicted for rectangular plates of any thickness. The global behavior of the delamination zone is accounted for by summing the individual stiffness contributions of each sublaminate constituting the delamination zone. This allows for the delamination zone to be treated as a single plate when performing global buckling predictions. Local buckling predictions are obtained by modeling a sublaminate adjacent to the surface as a separate elliptical plate. These analytical predictions compare closely with the results of detailed finite element models investigating several cases of delaminated plates. The methodology presented is found to be accurate for the cases considered and versatile as it can accommodate plates of any aspect ratio and having arbitrarily sized and located delaminations.
Interpersonal and Economic Resources as Mediators of the Effects of Health Decline on the Geographic Mobility of the Elderly

Using data from the 1984 and 1986 waves of the Longitudinal Study of Aging produced by the National Center for Health Statistics, the authors examined the probability of geographic mobility that is associated with declining levels of instrumental disabilities, while controlling for instrumental interpersonal resources and economic resources. This research concerning health and geographic mobility supports the view that instrumental disabilities do put pressure on older persons to change their residence but that the availability of family caregiving is a major buffer to moving. Family income, however, has no independent effect on mobility in the face of declining functional health. These findings provide support for the Litwak-Longino model of elderly migration
Delayed presentation of rickets in a child with labyrinthine aplasia, microtia and microdontia (LAMM) syndrome.

Background Labyrinthine Aplasia, Microtia and Microdontia (LAMM) syndrome is characterized by the complete absence of inner ear structures (Michel aplasia), microtia and microdontia. Hypophosphatemic rickets results from defects in the renal tubular reabsorption of filtered phosphate.
Plane shock wave studies of Westerly granite and Nugget sandstone

Abstract Plane shock wave experiments were performed by using a light-gas gun on dry and water-saturated Westerly granite and dry Nugget sandstone. Changes in the slopes of the shock velocity versus particle velocity curves at 2–3 GPa and 1–2 GPa for dry granite and for dry sandstone, respectively, are attributed to the onset of pore collapse. However, there is little apparent loss of shear strength in either dry rock over the stress range of the experiments (i.e. 9.3 GPa in Westerly granite and 9.2 GPa in Nugget sandstone). Agreement between the shock wave data and quasistatic, uniaxial strain data for the dry rocks implies the absence of rate-dependence in uniaxial strain. The shock data on saturated granite agree well with those for dry granite, thus suggesting there was no loss in shear strength as a result of pore pressure buildup.
Teenagers' choices regarding the presence of family members during the examination of genitalia

This study was designed to assess the outcome of offering teenagers the option of being accompanied by a family member during examinations involving the genitalia. Data were collected from patients' first visits, in an 18-month-period, to an adolescent clinic serving a Black, inner-city population. Of 1358 such patients visits (73% females), 550 (40.5%) patients were accompanied to the clinic by a family member. Chi-square analysis revealed: 1) for both sexes, the youngest teenagers (age 11–13 years) were accompanied significantly more often than those aged 14–16 years, who in turn were accompanied significantly more often than the oldest group (age 17–20 years); and 2) although males tended to be accompanied more often than females, this effect was significant only for teenagers aged 14–16 years. Of the 550 accompanied patients, 207 had a genital examination and 190 of these were offered the option of having a family member present. Fifty percent of the patients accepted; there was no significant relationship between patients' age or sex and acceptance. Physicians judged the outcome of the 94 cases with family member present. Having the family member present was viewed as beneficial for the patient and/or the physician in 86% of the cases, and 13% were neutral (no benefit/no problem).
Dynamics and formation of self-organizing maps

Amari (1983, 1989) proposed a mathematical formulation on the self-organization of synaptic efficacies and neural response fields under the influence of external stimuli. The dynamics as well as the equilibrium properties of the cortical map were obtained analytically for neurons with binary input-output transfer functions. Here we extend this approach to neurons with arbitrary sigmoidal transfer function. Under the assumption that both the intracortical connection and the stimulus-driven thalamic activity are well localized, we are able to derive expressions for the cortical magnification factor, the point-spread resolution, and the bandwidth resolution of the map. As a highlight, we show analytically that the receptive field size of a cortical neuron in the map is inversely proportional to the cortical magnification factor at that map location, the experimentally well-established rule of inverse magnification in retinotopic and somatotopic maps.
Effects of expectancies of different reward magnitudes in transfer from noncontingent pairings to instrumental performance

Abstract In two experiments, rats received noncontingent pairings of two stimuli with food reward, one paired with small reward and the other with large reward, and received bar press training with large reward or with small reward. When the noncontingent stimuli (NS) were presented for test during subsequent rewarded bar pressing and during early extinction of bar pressing, responding for each group was faster in the presence of the NS which was paired with the same reward magnitude that group received in bar press training than to the NS which had been paired with a different reward magnitude. As extinction progressed, all groups responded more slowly in the presence of the NS which had been paired with the large reward than in the presence of the NS which had been paired with small reward. These results were interpreted as indicating that responding in the presence of an NS depends on: (i) whether the reward expectancy elicited by the NS has been conditioned to the instrumental response, and (ii) the relationship between the reward expected in the presence of the NS and that received in test.
Thermal considerations of free-space optical interconnects using VCSEL-based smart pixel arrays

This paper discusses free-space optical interconnects from four perspectives: need, system architectures, major enabling technology, and component and system packaging. The need for such interconnection in telecommunication/datacommunication switching networks and fine- grained parallel computers is described. Since most of the envisioned systems fall into the two architectural classes of optical backplanes and 3-D systems, the paper describes these classes in detail. And the reader is introduced to the major enabling technology of smart pixel arrays. Finally, the paper describes attempts to implement free-space optical interconnect systems and some of the interesting thermal management issues that these implementations raise.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Mutation detection in K-ras, BRCA1, BRCA2, and p53 using PCR/LDR and a universal DNA microarray.

: We have developed a multiplex PCR/ligase detection reaction (PCR/LDR) that combines high sensitivity with the ability to simultaneously detect hundreds of mutations in a single-tube reaction. To enable us to rapidly assay large numbers of samples, we have linked this mutation detection scheme with analysis on a Universal DNA microarray. We have successfully applied this approach to characterize K-ras and p53 mutations in DNA derived from undissected colon tumors. The sensitivity of the assay has also facilitated detection of low-frequency mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 in pooled samples of DNA; thus, PCR/LDR can rapidly screen large numbers of DNA samples required for population studies.
PACAP modulates GnRH signaling in gonadotropes.

Abstract Hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone is known to be critical for normal gonadotropin biosynthesis and secretion by the gonadotrope cells of the anterior pituitary gland. Additional regulation is provided by gonadal steroid feedback as well as by intrapituitary factors, such as activin and follistatin. Less well-appreciated is the role of pituitary adenylate-cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) as both a hypothalamic–pituitary releasing factor as well as an autocrine–paracrine factor within the pituitary. PACAP regulates gonadotropin expression alone and through modulation of GnRH responsiveness achieved by increases in GnRH receptor expression and interactions at the level of intracellular signaling pathways. In addition to direct effects on the gonadotrope, PACAP stimulates follistatin secretion by the folliculostellate cells and thereby contributes to differential expression of the gonadotropin subunits. Conversely, GnRH augments the ability of PACAP to regulate gonadotrope function by increasing pituitary PACAP and PACAP receptor expression. This review will summarize the current understanding of the mechanisms by which PACAP modulates gonadotrope function, with a focus on interactions with GnRH.
A National Qualitative Study of Tobacco Use Among Career Firefighters and Department Health Personnel

Introduction: Firefighters currently have substantially lower smoking rates than similar occupational groups and the general U.S. population. In contrast, firefighters have very high rates of smokeless tobacco (SLT). The reasons for this paradox have not been explored; thus, the current study examined firefighters’ perspectives on tobacco use. Methods: Key informant interviews and focus groups were conducted in a national, cross-sectional purposively sampled group of 332 career firefighters. Results: Firefighters suggested several reasons for the decline in smoking in the fire service including changes in the fire ser vice culture, concerns about the impact of smoking on their ability to perform their job, regulations aimed at reducing smoking in departments, and the costs of smoking. In contrast, they felt that the greater use of SLT was primarily due to increasing restrictions on smoking. Conclusions: The primary reasons cited for decreased smoking rates by firefighters in our study were policy implementation at the state and local levels that prohibit tobacco use as a condition of employment and related presumption laws. However, reasons beyond policy mandates such as witnessing the end results of tobacco use, fitness, greater education about the nega tive health effects of smoking, and awareness about increased risk of exposure to toxic products of combustions also were noted. The primary reason cited for increased SLT use was the greater restrictions on smoking.
MIC check: a correlation tactic for ESE data

Empirical software engineering researchers are concerned with understanding the relationships between outcomes of interest, e.g. defects, and process and product measures. The use of correlations to uncover strong relationships is a natural precursor to multivariate modeling. Unfortunately, correlation coefficients can be difficult and/or misleading to interpret. For example, a strong correlation occurs between variables that stand in a polynomial relationship; this may lead one mistakenly, and eventually misleadingly, to model a polynomially related variable in a linear regression. Likewise, a non-monotonic functional, or even non-functional relationship might be entirely missed by a correlation coefficient. Outliers can influence standard correlation measures, tied values can unduly influence even robust non-parametric rank correlation, measures, and smaller sample sizes can cause instability in correlation measures. A new bivariate measure of association, Maximal Information Coefficient (MIC) [1], promises to simultaneously discover if two variables have: a) any association, b) a functional relationship, and c) a non-linear relationship. The MIC is a very useful complement to standard and rank correlation measures. It separately characterizes the existence of a relationship and its precise nature; thus, it enables more informed choices in modeling non-functional and non-linear relationships, and a more nuanced indicator of potential problems with the values reported by standard and rank correlation measures. We illustrate the use of MIC using a variety of software engineering metrics. We study and explain the distributional properties of MIC and related measures in software engineering data, and illustrate the value of these measures for the empirical software engineering researcher.
"Little Monkeys on the Grass…" How People for and Against Evolution Fail to Understand the Theory of Evolution

In an informal survey, only five percent of 306 college freshmen students in an introductory biology course provided a correct scientific definition for the theory of evolution. The other respondents provided answers that ranged from “organisms improving themselves” (42 percent) to “monkeys becoming humans” (seven percent). Some of the potential reasons for the lack of understanding of the concept of evolution are explored.
Recovered Memory and the Daubert Criteria Recovered Memory as Professionally Tested, Peer Reviewed, and Accepted in the Relevant Scientific Community

Research during the past two decades has firmly established the reliability of the phenomenon of recovered memory. This review first highlights the strongest evidence for the phenomenon itself and discusses the survey, experimental, and biological evidence for the varying mechanisms that may underlie the phenomenon. Routes to traumatic amnesia from dissociative detachment (loss of emotional content leading to loss of factual content) and from dissociative compartmentalization (failure in integration) are discussed. Next, an argument is made that false memory is a largely orthogonal concept to recovered memory; the possibility of one phenomena is largely irrelevant to the potential for the other. Furthermore, some aspects of the false memory research offer supportive data for the recovered memory researcher. Finally, the issue of error rates in making the Daubert case is explored. It is concluded that the weight of the evidence should allow the recovered memory victim to come before the court.
Sequestered Substernal Goiter

• A young woman with a normally located and only subtly nodular thyroid gland in the neck was found to have a clinically distinct and radioisotopically "cold" anterior mediastinal mass, which proved to be a benign colloid adenoma. While this constellation of findings usually suggests the presence of a nonthyroidal neoplasm, eg, lymphoma, thymoma, or teratoma, our case illustrates that sequestered benign nodular goiter should also be considered in the differential diagnosis. Clinical clues, such as a nodular thyroid gland, movement of the mass with deglutition, and a family history of nodular goiter, should suggest this possibility. A characteristic computed tomographic appearance may also prove useful in recognition of this rare disorder. ( Arch Intern Med 1983;143:1015-1017)
Tactical apologia: The American nursing association and assisted suicide

Studies of apologia have typically focused on powerful individuals and institutions responding to charges from equally powerful opponents, the struggles between elites and counter‐elites. This essay argues that apologia may also be a tactic of resistance as subordinate groups answer the charges of superordinate groups. An examination of the American Nursing Association's response to research indicating many nurses had participated in assisted suicides suggests tactical apologias blend various postures of apologia and seek to confuse rather than dispel the accusatory situation.
Protein Dynamics in the Region of the Sixth Ligand Methionine Revealed by Studies of Imidazole Binding To Rhodobacter capsulatus Cytochrome c2 Hinge Mutants

All class I c-type cytochromes studied to date undergo a dynamic process in the oxidized state, which results in the transient breaking of the iron-methionine-sulfur bond and sufficient movement to allow the binding of exogenous ligands (imidazole in this work). In the case of Rhodobacter capsulatus cytochrome c 2 , the sixth heme ligand Met96 and up to 14 flanking residues (positions 88-100, termed the hinge region), located between two relatively rigid helical regions, may be involved in structural changes leading to a transient high-spin species able to bind ligands. We have examined 14 mutations at 9 positions in the hinge region of Rhodobacter capsulatus cytochrome c 2 and have determined the structure of the G95E mutant. Mutations near the N- and C-terminus of the hinge region do not affect the kinetics of movement but allow us to further define that portion of the hinge that moves away from the heme to the 93-100 region in the amino acid sequence. Mutations at positions 93 and 95 can alter the rate constant for hinge movement (up to 20-fold), presumably as a result of altering the structure of the native cytochrome to favor a more open conformation. The structure of one of these mutants, G95E, suggests that interactions within the hinge region are stabilized while interaction between the hinge and the heme are destabilized. In contrast, mutations at positions 98 and 99 alter imidazole binding kinetics but not the hinge movement. Thus, it appears that these mutations affect the structure of the cytochrome after the hinge region has moved away from the heme, resulting in increased solvent access to the bound imidazole or alter interactions between the protein and the bound imidazole.
Effects of reynolds stress on flow noise from vortex/hydrofoil interactions

Abstract Acoustic field generated by a single vortex approaching a hydrofoil is studied. A combined vortex/RANS simulation for the near-field unsteady vorticity is developed to include effects from RANS Reynolds stresses. The far-field acoustics is calculated using a vortex sound formula with the near-field vorticity as the source. The results show that at a higher incident angle when the RANS shows a substantial region with strong Reynolds stresses, there is a significant increase in the sound level due to enhanced unsteady vorticity in the shed vortices near the trailing edge.
Reaction of Hydroxyl Radical with Acetone. 2. Products and Reaction Mechanism

The products of the reaction of OH with acetone (OH + CH3C(O)CH3 → products) were investigated using a discharge flow tube coupled to a chemical ionization mass spectrometer. It was shown that the yield of acetic acid from the reaction was less than 1% between 237 and 353 K. The yield of acetonyl radical was measured to be (96 ± 11)%, independent of temperature, between 242 and 350 K. The rate coefficients for the reaction were measured with this system to be the same as those reported in part 1 (J. Phys. Chem. A 2003, 107, 5014). The rate coefficients for the removal of OH (v = 1) by acetone and acetone-d6 were shown to be (2.67 ± 0.15) × 10-11 and (3.45 ± 0.24) × 10-11 cm3 molecule-1 s-1, respectively, at 295 K. It was shown that the enthalpy of reaction for the formation of an OH−acetone adduct is more than −8 kcal mol-1 (i.e., the adduct is bound by at most 8 kcal mol-1) at 203 K. On the basis of these observations and those from part 1, we deduce that the reaction of OH with acetone occurs through a ...
Continuous measure of significant linear dimensionality of a waveform set

Abstract A novel method for measuring the degree of mutual linear independence between the waveforms of a given set is introduced as a natural result of combining principal component and correlation analyses. The proposed measure, continuous significant dimensionality (CSD), inherits its properties from both the dimensionality of a vector set as defined in linear algebra and the correlation between two waveforms. A simple formula for CSD based on the eigenvalues of the correlation matrix is suggested. It is shown that CSD is a continuous function of the cross-correlation coefficients, and it can be viewed as interpolating the dimensionality of a waveform set between cases in which the set contains an orthogonal basis. There are two important advantages of the CSD measure over the known integer estimate of significant linear dimensionality. First, the CSD formula does not depend on any subjective parameter such as “significance level”. Second, the CSD allows the detection of relatively small differences in the degree of linear independence of waveforms between different sets. A complementary measure of the degree of linear interdependence between the waveforms of a given set also is described. The application of these measures is illustrated in the example of kinematic data processing.
I have a student who…: An exploration of societal norms embedded in co-constructed narratives

This article investigates the use of co-constructed narrative strands to better understand the function of institutional narratives in teacher education. It uses data drawn from a large ethnographic study of talk in interaction in teacher education coursework. The analysis demonstrates how a series of similar small stories functions together to create a larger message about social categories in schooling. Narratives created by preservice teachers, through shared understanding of category systems like gender and disability, penetrate stories told in coursework and impact understandings of students in schools.
Fractal-based image coding with polyphase decomposition

A new method for fractal image compression by applying Jacquin's algorithm to a polyphase decomposed image is proposed to increase the encoding efficiency in this research. By using a (P X P) : (1 X 1) polyphase decomposition with P equals 2n, we divide an image into P X P subimages and then apply the Jacquin compression algorithm to these subimages independently. We show that the resulting scheme can improve the coding speed by a factor of P2 at the sacrifice of the decompressed image quality. Besides, since the subimages are very similar to each other, we may focus on a small subset of subimages, seek the appropriate domain block for their range blocks, and record the information of address mapping, scaling and offset. To encode the remaining subimages, we simply determine the scaling and the offset based on the same set of addressing mapping previously found. A set of numerical experiments with various parameters, including the polyphase decimation factor P, the size D (or R) of domain (or range) blocks, and the size s of search step, are performed to illustrate the tradeoff between the speed, image quality, and compression rate.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Naltrexone and disulfiram in patients with alcohol dependence and comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder.

Background Although disulfiram and naltrexone have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of alcoholism, the effect of these medications on alcohol use outcomes and on psychiatric symptoms is still unknown in patients with co-occurring disorders post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods Patients ( n = 254) with a major Axis I psychiatric disorder and comorbid alcohol dependence were treated for 12 weeks in a medication study at three Veterans Administration outpatient clinics. Randomization included (1) open randomization to disulfiram or no disulfiram; and (2) double-blind randomization to naltrexone or placebo. This resulted in four groups: (1) naltrexone alone; (2) placebo alone; (3) disulfiram and naltrexone; or (4) disulfiram and placebo. Outcomes were measures of alcohol use, PTSD symptoms, alcohol craving, GGT levels and adverse events. Results 93 individuals (36.6%) met DSM-IV criteria for PTSD. Subjects with PTSD had better alcohol outcomes with active medication (naltrexone, disulfiram or the combination) than they did on placebo; overall psychiatric symptoms of PTSD improved. Individuals with PTSD were more likely to report some side effects when treated with the combination. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that disulfiram and naltrexone are effective and safe for individuals with PTSD and comorbid alcohol dependence.
How viral infections affect the autoimmune process leading to type 1 diabetes.

Abstract Despite a large body of evidence describing associations between viruses and the development of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in genetically prone individuals, clearly defining causative infectious agents has not been successful. A likely explanation is that the link between infections and autoimmunity is more multifaceted than we initially assumed. Viral footprints might be hard to detect systemically or in the target organ once autoimmunity has been initiated, and several infections might have to act in concert to precipitate clinical autoimmunity. Furthermore, cells cross-reactive between viral and self-antigens might express low avidity T cell receptors and only be present transiently in the blood of affected individuals. In addition, there are two new observations from animal models that we should take into account at this point: first, viral infections alone might not be able to induce disease in the absence of other inflammatory factors (supporting the “fertile field hypothesis” [M.G. von Herrath et al., Microorganisms and autoimmunity: making the barren field fertile? Nat. Rev. Microbiol. 1 (2003) 151–157, [1] ]). Second, increasing evidence indicates that viruses can play a role in preventing rather than enhancing T1D development (supporting the “hygiene hypothesis” [J.F. Bach, Protective role of infections and vaccinations on autoimmune diseases. J. Autoimmun. 16 (2001) 347–353]). In this article we will present an overview of the early events and requirements that could account for T1D predisposition and development, and explain how these can be modulated by viral infections. Focusing on coxsackie B and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infections, we will discuss new data that can hopefully help us understand how virus-induced inflammation can positively or negatively affect the clinical outcome of islet-autoimmunity and T1D.