cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epstein-Barr Virus: How Its Lytic Phase Contributes to Oncogenesis.

Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) contributes to the development of lymphoid and epithelial malignancies. While EBV’s latent phase is more commonly associated with EBV-associated malignancies, there is increasing evidence that EBV’s lytic phase plays a role in EBV-mediated oncogenesis. The lytic phase contributes to oncogenesis primarily in two ways: (1) the production of infectious particles to infect more cells, and (2) the regulation of cellular oncogenic pathways, both cell autonomously and non-cell autonomously. The production of infectious particles requires the completion of the lytic phase. However, the regulation of cellular oncogenic pathways can be mediated by an incomplete (abortive) lytic phase, in which early lytic gene products contribute substantially, whereas late lytic products are largely dispensable. In this review, we discuss the evidence of EBV’s lytic phase contributing to oncogenesis and the role it plays in tumor formation and progression, as well as summarize known mechanisms by which EBV lytic products regulate oncogenic pathways. Understanding the contribution of EBV’s lytic phase to oncogenesis will help design ways to target it to treat EBV-associated malignancies.
Lie machines: how to save democracy from troll armies, deceitful robots, junk news operations, and political operatives: authored by Philip N. Howard, Yale University Press, New Haven, CT, $26.00 USD, Hardback, (ISBN 13: 978-0300250206), 2020. 240 pp.

Howard’s book Lie Machines: How to Save Democracy from Troll Armies, Deceitful Robots, Junk News Operations, and Political Operatives explores the history and ramifications of today’s ‘fake news,’ ...
Physics-informed deep learning for digital materials

Abstract In this work, a physics-informed neural network (PINN) designed specifically for analyzing digital materials is introduced. This proposed machine learning (ML) model can be trained free of ground truth data by adopting the minimum energy criteria as its loss function. Results show that our energy-based PINN reaches similar accuracy as supervised ML models. Adding a hinge loss on the Jacobian can constrain the model to avoid erroneous deformation gradient caused by the nonlinear logarithmic strain. Lastly, we discuss how the strain energy of each material element at each numerical integration point can be calculated parallelly on a GPU. The algorithm is tested on different mesh densities to evaluate its computational efficiency which scales linearly with respect to the number of nodes in the system. This work provides a foundation for encoding physical behaviors of digital materials directly into neural networks, enabling label-free learning for the design of next-generation composites.
Identifying and Responding to Suicidality: Evidence-Based Strategies for Early Childhood Home Visitors

Suicide is a major public health issue, and a leading cause of death in the United States. Caregivers of young children with or at-risk for disabilities and developmental delays may experience significant life stressors that increase their risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Early childhood special education (ECSE) home visitors may be in a prime position to notice and intervene in these situations but may lack the training and confidence to do so. This article outlines evidence-based strategies for identifying and responding to possible suicidal thoughts and behaviors in the context of ECSE home visiting.
Water Management in the Western U.S.: An Economic Research Agenda

This report discusses water management in the western U.S. and investigates related problems. The first part reviews theoretical and empirical economics literature on the motivations for water management. Following that, it discusses barriers to effective water management and potential knowledge gaps. The final part of the report presents three broad research topics, as well as related researchable questions that may contribute to ongoing policy debates. Research topics come from literature reviews and interviews with Environmental Defense Fund internal experts, academic communities and stakeholders. Topics include fragmented water management, groundwater market design and agricultural adaptation to reduced water supplies.
Application of p-type microcrystalline silicon to a-Si alloy solar cells

Detailed studies by the RHEED method have clearly indicated that microcrystalline silicon (/spl mu/c-Si:H) films prepared with a conventional RF p-CVD system can be deposited from the thickness of 10 nm even on a-SiC:H, a-SiGe:H alloy films and, furthermore, 25 nm-thick films have almost the same crystallinity as the 200 nm thick /spl mu/c-Si:H film. Application of this /spl mu/c-Si:H film to the p-layers of a-SiC:H and a-SiGe:H alloy solar cells have led to increases of 20/spl sim/40 mV in Voc, compared to typical a-SiC:H p-layer cells. Analysis of the diode saturation currents have showed that these increases of Voc were due to the increases of the built-in potential of the cells.
A Framework to Understand the Mechanism of Toxicity

Computational identification of the mechanisms of drug toxicity is a very challenging problem. Little progress has been made thus far. In this work, we propose a novel framework to identify proteins involved in the chosen toxicities. Specifically, we used the proteins (bait proteins) that have been identified empirically to be involved in the toxicities to fish out additional proteins that might be strongly associated with the bait proteins in the protein-protein interaction network. We applied our method to 14 toxicities and manually validated two toxicities including bleeding disorders and urinary disorders. Literature research indicates that most of the newly identified proteins are involved in the toxicities in some degrees, and the networks identified are consistent with the known studies related to the toxicities.
Differentiation of 5-hydroxytryptamine2 receptor subtypes using 125I-R- (-)2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodo-phenylisopropylamine and 3H-ketanserin

The radioligand binding characteristics of 125I-R-(-)4-iodo-2,5- dimethoxyphenylisopropylamine [125I-R-(-)DOI] and 3H-ketanserin were compared in rat and bovine cortical membranes. In rat cortex, 125I-R-(- )DOI labels a relatively low density of binding sites (Bmax = 2.5 +/- 0.2 pmol/gm tissue) with high affinity (KD = 0.63 +/- 0.09 nM). In bovine cortex, specific binding of 125I-R-(-)DOI represents less than 20% of total binding at radioligand concentrations above 0.6 nM, and, therefore, the data cannot be analyzed adequately by Scatchard transformation. By contrast, 3H-ketanserin displays saturable, specific high-affinity binding in both rat cortex (KD = 1.0 +/- 0.1 nM; Bmax = 11 +/- 0.4 pmol/gm tissue) and bovine cortex (KD = 1.2 +/- 0.2 nM; Bmax = 5.3 +/- 0.4 pmol/gm tissue). Ki values for 30 drugs were determined for 125I-R-(-)DOI-labeled sites in rat cortex and 3H-ketanserin-labeled sites in bovine cortex. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) displays 250-fold higher selectivity for the 125I-R-(-)DOI-labeled sites (Ki = 3.0 +/- 0.7 nM) than for the 3H-ketanserin-labeled sites (Ki = 750 +/- 50 nM). Structural congeners of R-(-)DOI display 80- to 160-fold higher affinity for the 125I-R-(-)DOI binding site than for the 3H-ketanserin- labeled binding site. d-LSD and putative 5-HT2 antagonists are approximately equipotent at both sites. Significant correlations were found between drug affinities for 125I-R-(-)DOI-labeled sites in rat cortex and putative 5-HT2A sites labeled previously by 77Br-R-(-)DOB (r = 0.93, p less than 0.01), putative 5-HT2B sites labeled by 3H- ketanserin in bovine cortex (r = 0.63, p less than 0.01), and 5-HT1C binding sites that have been characterized by other investigators (r = 0.78, p less than 0.01). No significant correlations were found between drug affinities for 125I-R-(-)DOI-labeled sites in rat cortex and 5- HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT1D, or 5-HT3 sites, as determined by previous investigators. We conclude that 125I-R-(-)DOI labels a novel 5-HT binding site subtype (tentatively designated the 5-HT2A binding site) that is present in rat cortex but is either absent or minimally present in bovine cortex. By contrast, 3H-ketanserin labels both the putative 5- HT2A site in rat cortex as well as a separate, distinct recognition site that is present in both rat and bovine cortex, tentatively designated the 5-HT2B site.
Higher accuracy and throughput in computer-aided screening of mammographic microcalcifications

This paper outlines a new methodology for computer-aided screening (CAS) of microcalcifications. The proposed approach takes advantage of the research already performed in the field of CAS and facilitates its translation to practical screening systems by exploring two concepts that address the key issues of (1) higher accuracy and (2) higher throughput. The first concept involves the utilization of a front-end fractal encoding scheme that analyzes digitized mammograms and generates focus-of-attention regions (FARs). The second concept is that of distributed segmentation, that is, subjecting FARs to multiple microcalcification segmentation techniques. To validate the impact of FAR generation on the ensuing processes in GAS, specifically that of segmentation, an existing segmentation technique was selected and applied to 100 digitized mammograms (45 with and 55 without microcalcifications). Utilizing the selected segmentation technique in conjunction with the proposed fractal encoding scheme reduced the number of false detections from 310 to 53 (83% reduction) in images with microcalcifications and from 931 to 197 (79% reduction) in images without microcalcifications. This was accomplished while maintaining a coverage rate of 88%. In addition, the input data were reduced by up to 99%.
Interpopulation patterns of divergence and selection across the transcriptome of the copepod Tigriopus californicus

The accumulation of genetic incompatibilities between isolated populations is thought to lead to the evolution of intrinsic postzygotic isolation. The molecular basis for these mechanisms, however, remains poorly understood. The intertidal copepod Tigriopus californicus provides unique opportunities for addressing mechanistic questions regarding the early stages of speciation; hybrids between highly divergent populations are fertile and viable, but exhibit reduced fitness at the F(2) or later generations. Given the current scarcity of genomic information in taxa at incipient stages of reproductive isolation, we utilize high-throughout 454 pyrosequencing to characterize a substantial fraction of protein-coding regions (the transcriptome) of T. californicus. Our sequencing effort was divided equally between two divergent populations in order to estimate levels of divergence and to reveal patterns of selection across the transcriptome. Assembly of sequences generated over 40,000 putatively unique transcripts (unigenes) for each population, 19,622 of which were orthologous between populations. BLAST searches of public databases determined protein identity and functional features for 15,402 and 12,670 unigenes, respectively. Based on rates of nonsynonymous and synonymous substitutions in 5897 interpopulation orthologs (those >150 bp and with at least 2X coverage), we identified 229 potential targets of positive selection. Many of these genes are predicted to be involved in several metabolic processes, and to function in hydrolase, peptidase and binding activities. The library of T. californicus coding regions, annotated with their predicted functions and level of divergence, will serve as an invaluable resource for elucidating molecular mechanisms underlying the early stages of speciation.
Effects of 32P decay on enzyme synthesis.

Cultures of Escherichia coli 15T − inactivated by 32 P decay to a survival of 0·1% are capable of synthesizing phosphatase at about 25% of the rate found in completely viable cells. These cultures also retain a similar fraction of their ability to form β -galactosidase, if no energy source is present during the induction. If glycerol is added to the medium, however, no β -galactosidase is formed. The earlier observation of an apparent concomitant decline in enzyme-forming capacity and viability following 32 P decay can therefore be attributed to repression on the synthesis of catabolic enzymes in cells in which the rate of catabolism exceeds the rate of growth.
The effect of lesions in caudate nucleus and superior colliculus upon adaptation to prisms in monkey

Monkeys wear prism spectacles for 24 h in an open-loop situation in which they do not see either their arms or bodies. The main effect of wearing these prisms is a change in the direction of reaching for visually localized objects. However, following surgery, monkeys with bilateral lesions in the head of the caudate nucleus show smaller reaching aftereffects. Monkeys with superior colliculus lesions adapt to prisms as well as they did prior to surgery but show a small amount of past-pointing.
Degemination strategies in new high German and Swabian

Abstract Word-final geminate (long) consonants in Middle High German went through two distinctly different processes of degemination in New High German (East Central German) and in Swabian (Upper German). In New High German, the loss or shortening of the consonant resulted in a syllable with a short vowel; while in Swabian, the phenomenon resulted in a syllable with a long vowel. After an introduction to dynamic phonology, these strategies are examined and compared in traditional segmental (phonemic), nonlinear (metrical), and dynamic analyses. These analyses reveal that the consonant must have still been geminate at the end of the Middle High German period; that the perception of one strategy (New High German) as being inherently simpler than the other (Swabian) has nothing to do with the changes themselves, but only with the segmental and nonlinear descriptions; and that the entire concept of ‘compensatory lengthening’ is likewise an illusion of segmental and nonlinear description. The implications of dynamics analysis for phonological theory are discussed.
Sephadex LH-20 column separation of thyroidal iodoamino acids.

Abstract A solvent system consisting of low-boiling organic solvents and ammonium hydroxide effectively separated iodoamino acids of the thyroid on Sephadex LH-20 gel filtration columns. The iodoamino acids were eluted from the column in a sequence unrelated to their molecular weights suggesting that adsorptive properties of the dextran gel rather than gel exclusion effects governed the elution volume of the compounds. The eluted iodoamino acids were recovered in a pure form by low-temperature evaporation of the solvents at reduced pressure. Good recovery of iodoamino acids from the column was obtained and reproducibility of column performance was satisfactory.
Alana: How One Hearing Child Used Sign Language to Move from ‘Disruptive’ Student to a Classroom Expert

One of the challenges of conducting research in classrooms is deciding which stories to follow. A few years ago I spent a year investigating the effects of sign language use on hearing preschool students at a Title I school in South Carolina. The stories that emerged during my time there were rich and plentiful. This editorial focuses on one of those stories by describing the experiences of a 4 year old girl named Alana (the names of individuals, the city and the school have been changed to assure anonymity). While there is no one quite like Alana, classroom teachers may discover that Alana’s struggles resemble similar difficulties faced by their students. Lawrence-Lightfoot (1998) asserts that in the particular resides the general. The exploration of the single case yields themes that are relevant to other cases. As such, Alana’s story offers lessons about teaching and learning that will prove helpful in many classrooms.
Rinse additives for line-edge roughness control in 193-nm lithography

Resist technologies that will enable next-generation lithography (NGL) such as extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) will require tighter control of critical dimension (CD) with appropriate reduction of line edge roughness (LER) of resist features to levels that seem unrealizable today. Given the delicate balance existing between LER, resolution and sensitivity that is associated with photoresist patterning, alternative processing methodologies that can address such parameters individually are required. In this work a post-processing method designed to control LER is proposed based on the ability of an additive-containing rinse to condition the surface of photoresist patterns. Organic salts added to the final rinse used to quench the development process are found to be particularly effective towards this end. LER reduction up to 15% was observed for a broad range of 193 nm resist systems, while preserving the integrity of the pattern profiles. The dependence of LER reduction on additive concentration was investigated and the limited improvement observed was explained based on the tendency of the additive to self-aggregate. Finally, the advantage of including an additive in the rinse step instead of using an additive-containing developer is discussed in terms of critical dimension bias and overall image integrity control.
Anterior Polar Cataract in Two Sisters With an Unbalanced 3;18 Chromosomal Translocation

Congenital anterior polar cataracts can be associated with chromosomal abnormalities. We treated two sisters with this condition who had the same unbalanced translocation between the long arm of chromosome 3 and the short arm of chromosome 18. Their mother had a balanced translocation between those chromosomes but had no cataract. Both sisters had dysmorphic features. Their genetic status resulted in partial trisomy of the long arm of chromosome 3 and partial monosomy of the short arm of chromosome 18. To aid in the identification of specific cataract genes, patients with chromosomal abnormalities should have careful ophthalmic examinations, and their lenticular findings should be reported.
Control of Frequency Spreading of Wavelet Packets

Abstract Basic wavelet packets are the building blocks of libraries of wavelet packets and are intended to provide a partition of phase space resembling that of the windowed Fourier transform. In this paper it is shown that the frequency spreading of basic wavelet packets can be controlled by using different conjugate quadrature filters on each scale and allowing the filterlength to grow. A family of exact reconstruction FIR conjugate quadrature filters constructed especially for this purpose is presented. Furthermore, an upper bound for the necessary growth of filterlengths is obtained. This determines the complexity of the discrete wavelet packet algorithm.
Tetracycline and incorporation of amino acids into proteins of rat tissues.

SummaryTetracycline decreased incorporation of labeled amino acids into the proteins of a number of organs when given intragastrically, intramuscularly or intravenously into intact rats. The effects are dose related and are not uniform for every tissue. Gastrointestinal tract, pancreas and skeletal muscle were more affected than were organs such as liver and kidney. The antibiotic effect appears to be independent of food intake, local trauma, or stress factors mediated through the adrenal gland. Turpentine injection resulted in changes similar to those with tetracycline and it is suggested that these may be caused by systemic effects of the former. A non-specific effect of tetracycline, turpentine and mechanical trauma was manifest by a rise in amino acid incorporation into the plasma proteins of female rats. The data support the hypothesis that tetracycline is capable of inhibiting protein synthesis in intact mammals at plasma levels which have been noted to cause significant metabolic changes in man.
Hepatic Gene Networks in Morbidly Obese Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background Genetic factors alter the risk for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We sought to identify NAFLD-associated genes and elucidate gene networks and pathways involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD.
Intrinisic reliability of amorphous silicon thin film solar cells

In this paper, we have discussed three intrinsic reliability issues of thin-film -Si∶H solar cells; space charge limited shunt conduction through localized metal-semiconductor-metal structures; shadow degradation in series connected cells in a module, and light induced degradation. Despite their distinct external manifestation, these intrinsic reliability issues appear to share common physical phenomena. For example, the light induced and the shadow degradation may be related because they are described by very similar time-exponents (see Fig. 4c and 6a). While the physics of G are different (e.g. photon induced dissociation for LID and (possibly) electron-hole recombination induced dissociation for shadow degradation), it is likely that they both break SiH bonds and are subsequently follow similar diffusive kinetics. Finally, analogies to CMOS reliability; e.g., shunt conduction related to non uniform conduction through oxides, shadow degradation to bulk defect generation and TDDB in gate dielectric, and light induced degradation to NBTI in PMOS transistors; may help illuminate many aspects of the degradation processes.
Folate activation and catalysis in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase from Escherichia coli: roles for aspartate 120 and glutamate 28.

The flavoprotein Escherichia coli methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) catalyzes the reduction of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (CH2-H4folate) to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (CH3-H4folate). The X-ray crystal structure of the enzyme has revealed the amino acids at the flavin active site that are likely to be relevant to catalysis. Here, we have focused on two conserved residues, Asp 120 and Glu 28. The presence of an acidic residue (Asp 120) near the N1−C2O position of the flavin distinguishes MTHFR from all other known flavin oxidoreductases and suggests an important function for this residue in modulating the flavin reactivity. Modeling of the CH3-H4folate product into the enzyme active site also suggests roles for Asp 120 in binding of folate and in electrostatic stabilization of the putative 5-iminium cation intermediate during catalysis. In the NADH-menadione oxidoreductase assay and in the isolated reductive half-reaction, the Asp120Asn mutant enzyme is reduced by NADH 30% more rapidly than the ...
Review Articles in the PASP

For a number of years the policy regarding review articles in the Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (PASP) has been that they were submitted by invitation of the Editors. We have decided to broaden the way review articles are solicited and handled. Now review articles may also be submitted by authors without a specific invitation from the Editors. We invite authors who would like to write a review article to send an outline and a date by which they plan to submit their article. We hope this process will prevent an author from spending a lot of time preparing a review, only to hear that a very similar one is already in press. All submitted review articles will be sent to referees in the same way that regular research articles are handled. Page charges for review articles will be the same as those for regular papers. We hope that the rapid publication time for which the PASP is known will also apply to all review articles. Some general guidelines for authors of review articles are as follows:
Density-functional study of the thermodynamic properties and the pressure–temperature phase diagram of Ti

The phonon spectra of $\ensuremath{\alpha}$, $\ensuremath{\beta}$, and $\ensuremath{\omega}$ Ti were studied using the supercell approach. The lattice vibrational energy was calculated in the quasiharmonic approximation using both first-principles phonon density of state and Debye model. The thermal electronic contribution to the free energy was evaluated from the integration over the electronic density of states. The Helmholtz energy was thus obtained by combining them with the 0 K total energy calculated within the framework of all-electron projector-augmented-wave method. The thermodynamic properties of $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ and $\ensuremath{\omega}$ Ti calculated by phonon and Debye model are very close to each other. The predicted enthalpy, entropy, bulk modulus, thermal expansion coefficient and heat capacity of $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ are in good agreement with experiments. By comparing with the experimental enthalpy of $\ensuremath{\beta}$, we found that the 0 K total energy calculated from bcc Ti is incorrect. This problem can be solved by shifting the total energy of $\ensuremath{\beta}$ down by $8\text{ }\text{kJ}\text{ }{\text{mol}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ to match the experimental value. With the Gibbs energy calculated from the Debye model as a function of pressure and temperature, the phase transformation conditions of $\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\omega}$, $\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\beta}$, and $\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\omega}$ were identified. The predicted transition temperature between $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ and $\ensuremath{\beta}$ at ambient pressure and the triple point are close to experiments. It was found that the entropy plays an important role in the $\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\alpha}$ and $\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\beta}$ transitions, and the thermal electronic contribution to the Gibbs energy cannot be neglected for studying the $\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\beta}$ transition. Our calculations also showed that zero-point energy is crucial to predict the transition pressure of Ti at low temperatures.
Evidence that binocular competition affects the postnatal development of Y-cells in the cat's lateral geniculate nucleus.

Cats reared from birth with the lids of one eye sutured develop abnormalities of their geniculo-cortical systems: geniculate neurons in layers that are deprived of visual input grow less than those receiving visual inputs from the normal eye4,1°; the percentage of recordable geniculate cells that are Y-cells is greatly reduced in the deprived layers9; cortical neurons lose most of their input from the deprived eyeS, 11-13 and when the cats are using the deprived eye they show limited visually guided behavior 2,7. However, these abnormalities occur primarily in the binocular segments of the geniculo-striate system, within which the central, binocularly viewed portion of the visual field is mapped. In the monocular segment the neurons are relatively unaffected. Thus, the geniculate neurons are of normal size a, the proportion of Y-cells is normal 9, cortical cells in area 17 can be driven from the deprived eye and some display normal receptive field properties8, ~3. Finally, these cats can respond appro- priately to objects moving in the monocular segment of the visual field of the deprived eye 7. These differences in the effects of monocular deprivation upon the monocular and binocular segments of the visual pathways are most easily explained by a develop- mental mechanism involving binocular competition that occurs during development between neurons innervated by one eye and neurons innervated by the other. Monoc- ular suture upsets this balance; neurons in the deprived geniculate laminae develop abnormally because they are at some disadvantage relative to the non-deprived neurons, and as a result the deprived cells fail to develop a significant number of functional cortical connections. In the monocular segment, by definition, there can be no binocular competition, and thus the deprived neurons in the monocular seg- ment develop without many of the abnormalities found in the binocular segment. Since the monocular segment receives from the peripheral visual field and the binoc- ular segment from the more central parts of the visual field, it has been necessary to show that the differences between the monocular and the binocular segments are not merely differences between the central and the peripheral parts of the visual pathways. This has been done by rearing cats that have one eye closed and a limited, fairly central lesion placed in the retina of the other eye. In these cats the deprived visual
Product innovation and competitive advantage in an area of industrial decline: the Niagara region of Canada

Abstract This paper examines similarities and differences between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with different levels of reported product innovation. These SMEs are located in an area (the Niagara region in southern Ontario) that has suffered industrial decline during the last three decades. Furthermore, SMEs in this region are in traditional or late-cycle manufacturing sectors (e.g., fabricated metal). The research findings show that SMEs claiming to pursue product innovation are better performers in terms of total and export sales. SMEs with higher levels of product innovation rated the following strategies as significantly more important compared with SMEs with lower levels of innovation: the expansion of R&D efforts, incremental innovation, new product development, and new export market development. In contrast, SMEs with lower levels of product innovation emphasized the importance of cost-based pricing and their market development is focused on Canada. Both groups of product innovators have adopted similar types of process innovation, but the SMEs with higher levels of product innovation note higher levels of benefit from process changes compared with manufacturers with lower levels of product innovators. In a similar fashion, SMEs with higher levels of product innovation use external service inputs for problem-solving and business development in the face of a multitude of competitive problems within the local economy (such as the lack of skilled or specialist labor, tax burden, etc). In sum, SMEs pursuing innovation in traditional sectors in peripheral regions are showing better possibilities of adjustment in a dynamic global environment.
Analyzing meaning in form: Soap opera's compositional construction of “realness”

This study examined the sense of “realness” associated with soap operas by analyzing the characteristics of form represented in its particular aesthetic manipulations of auditory and visual elements. Patterns identified in the compositional structure of the soap opera were proposed to be compositional conventions characterizing the genre. Aesthetic qualities associated with these characteristics were found to reflect the kind of aesthetic intensification associated with the televisual interpretation of a live event.
Feasibility of oral ciprofloxacin for the outpatient management of febrile neutropenia in selected children with cancer

BACKGROUND Children with cancer who develop an episode of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia usually are admitted to the hospital for intravenous empiric antibiotic therapy. In the current study, the authors examined the use of ciprofloxacin as outpatient management in selected patients with fever during an episode of neutropenia. METHODS Febrile neutropenic patients with a diagnosis of cancer were eligible for outpatient management with oral ciprofloxacin if they appeared well and demonstrated the following characteristics: age 1–21 years, malignancy in remission, absolute phagocyte count > 100/mm3, > 7 days since the initiation of the last course of chemotherapy, and reliable parents. Eligible children received a single dose of ceftazidime and were observed for 2–23 hours. Patients were discharged receiving oral ciprofloxacin (20/mg/kg/day divided in 2 doses) until the patient was afebrile for 24 hours, had sterile blood cultures, and had evidence of bone marrow recovery. Patients were admitted if they appeared toxic, had positive blood cultures, or were febrile for ≥ 5 days. RESULTS Forty-five evaluable episodes occurred in 32 children. Forty of the 45 patients (89%) were treated successfully in the outpatient setting. The 95% lower confidence bound on the proportion of successful outcomes was 70%. Five children required hospitalization: 2 due to noncompliance, 1 to receive intravenous acyclovir for herpes zoster, and 2 (4%) whose blood cultures were positive for Streptococcus viridans and S. pneumoniae. All had uncomplicated hospitalizations. CONCLUSIONS The current study demonstrates that very carefully selected, low risk patients with febrile neutropenia may be treated successfully without hospitalization using oral ciprofloxacin. Additional research is required to refine further the optimal criteria for the selection of appropriate patients for outpatient management. Cancer 2000;88:1710–4. © 2000 American Cancer Society.
The Sexuality of Women in Pregnancy and Postpartum: A Review

Current knowledge about sexual response in the nonpregnant woman is compared to that during each trimester of pregnancy and during the postpartum period. Circumstances which may contraindicate sexual activity, especially intercourse and orgasm, during pregnancy are specified. It is noted that pregnancy may be an opportunity to enhance marital intimacy and stability. Recommendations for those who counsel childbearing couples are outlined.
Spin-trapping evidence that graded myocardial ischemia alters post-ischemic superoxide production

Abstract The spin trapping agent 5,5-dimethyl-l-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) was used to investigate oxy-radical production in post-ischemic rat hearts previously exposed to 20, 30, or 40 minutes of global ischemia. A hydroxyl spin adduct (DMPO-OH) was identified in coronary effluent during the initial seconds of reperfusion by Electron Spin Resonance (ESRj Spectroscopy. The intensity of the ESR signal in post-ischemic effluent increased as ischemic duration was prolonged; however, regardless of the duration of ischemia, maximal spin adduct detection occurred 3 minutes after initiation of reperfusion. Superoxide dismutase inhibited the formation of DMPO-OH, suggesting that superoxide anion was initially generated and is the principle source for the production on the hydroxyl adduct. our investigations indicate that superoxide anion is produced during the early moments of reperfusion and that its production in the postischemic heart is related to the severity of ischemia.
Rehabilitation of an osteochondral fracture using blood flow restricted exercise: a case review.

Abstract Objectives In this case review we report on a bodybuilder who used a practical model of blood flow restriction (BFR) training to successfully rehabilitate himself following an injury to his right knee. Results The patient originally thought he had torn his meniscus however repeat radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed an osteochondral fracture. The patient initially sought out a low load alternative to help with the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass. However, following rehabilitation with low load BFR resistance training, radiographs indicated that the bone had begun to heal suggesting that this type of training may also benefit bone. Conclusions In conclusion, this case review provides evidence that practical BFR using knee wraps can serve as an effective stimulus during rehabilitation from a knee injury.
Solid oxide electrolyte fuel cell review

Solid oxide fuel cells are a promising technology for electric power generation in the 21st century. The principles of SOFC operation, stack designs, materials, status of development and future challenges are discussed.
Building Facade Failure Risk Assessment

Building facades can fail in a variety of ways. Masonry can crack or deteriorate over time, supports can corrode, surface seals can leak, or the wall may trap moisture-laden air that triggers condensation and mold growth. Some types of facades have characteristics that make them more susceptible to failure. An understanding of these vulnerable facade characteristics can help building designers and owners avoid (or at least be prepared for) facade failures.
A pathological lattice of invariant subspaces

Abstract An explicit example of a Hilbert space operator whose lattice of invariant subspaces (under the metric topology “gap between subspaces”) contains an inaccessible point which is not isolated is constructed; the component of that inaccessible point is not arcwise connected and, moreover, no ball (of sufficiently small radius) about the point is connected. This example answers negatively three questions proposed by R. G. Douglas and Carl Pearcy.
A curing cycle for detector-quality CR-39

ABSTRACT Commercially available CR-39 has been found to etch non-uniformly as a function of depth through the thickness of a sheet. This apparently occurs because the sheet overheats internally during polymerization. Results are presented on a curing cycle designed to maintain a low rate of polymerization throughout the curing process. It is shown that material made this way can achieve 0.15 charge unit resolution for stopping-Fe nuclei without corrections for residual depth dependence of the track etch rate.
The Binding Site for TRAF2 and TRAF3 but Not for TRAF6 Is Essential for CD40-Mediated Immunoglobulin Class Switching

To define the role of TRAF proteins in CD40-dependent isotype switching in B cells, we introduced wild-type (WT) and mutant CD40 transgenes that lacked the binding motifs for TRAF6 (CD40deltaTRAF6), TRAF2 and TRAF3 (CD40deltaTRAF2/3), or both (CD40deltaTRAFs) into B cells of CD40(-/-) mice. The in vivo isotype switch defect in CD40(-/-) mice was fully corrected by WT and CD40deltaTRAF6, partially by CD40deltaTRAF2/3, and not at all by CD40deltaTRAFs transgenes. CD40-mediated isotype switching, proliferation, and activation of p38, JNK, and NFkappaB in B cells were normal in WT and CD40deltaTRAF6 mice, severely impaired in CD40deltaTRAF2/3, and absent in CD40deltaTRAFs mice. These results suggest that binding to TRAF2 and/or TRAF3 but not TRAF6 is essential for CD40 isotype switching and activation in B cells.
Use of oxygen isotope exchange in CO2 to characterize active sites

Abstract The characterization of carbon surface activity in the absence of gasification was attempted using oxygen isotope exchange in CO2 over spectroscopically pure natural graphite, the surface activity being characterized by the rate of approach to isotopic equilibrium. The probable mechanism of exchange is via the first step in the carbon-CO2 reaction, the dissociation of CO2 over a carbon free site: CO 2 + C f ⇄ i 1 j 1 C(O) + CO . Assuming this mechanism to hold for isotopic exchange, the theoretical rate equation was derived. The rate constants i1, and j1, were obtained from previous studies. Theoretical calculations show that the exchange rate is negligible over natural graphite at temperatures much below gasification conditions. Experimental verification of the theoretical analysis was not possible due to the activity of the quartz boat, holding the graphite, for catalyzing the exchange reaction. The exchange reaction was successfully followed over the Pt and CaO supported on a graphitized carbon black, in which case the activity was much, much greater than that ovgr the empty quartz boat.
HIV-infected persons with bipolar disorder are less aware of memory deficits than HIV-infected persons without bipolar disorder.

Episodic memory deficits are common in HIV infection and bipolar disorder, but patient insight into such deficits remains unclear. Thirty-four HIV-infected individuals without bipolar disorder (HIV+/BD-) and 47 HIV+ individuals with comorbid bipolar disorder (HIV+/BD+) were administered the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised to examine objective learning/memory functioning. Subjective memory complaints were assessed via the memory subscale of the Patient's Assessment of Own Functioning Inventory. HIV+/BD+ individuals performed poorer on tests of visual learning and visual/verbal recall than did HIV+/BD- participants (ps .10). Memory complaints were associated with depressive symptoms in both groups (ps < 0.05). These complaints were also predictive of immunosuppression, higher unemployment, and greater dependence on activities of daily living among the HIV+/BD+ individuals (ps < .05). Awareness of memory abilities was particularly poor among HIV+/BD+ individuals (i.e., objective learning/memory did not correspond to reported complaints), which has important implications for the capacity of these individuals to engage in error-monitoring and compensatory strategies in daily life. Memory complaints are associated with depressed mood regardless of group membership. Among HIV+/BD+ individuals, these complaints may also signify worse HIV disease status and problems with everyday functioning. Clinicians and researchers should be cognizant of what these complaints indicate in order to lead treatment most effectively; use of objective neurocognitive assessments may still be warranted when working with these populations.
Switching Costs, Satisfaction, Loyalty and Willingness to Pay for Office Productivity Software

Despite the availability of several free and lower-cost alternatives, the multi-billion dollar market for office productivity software suites (OPSS) is dominated by Microsoft Office. Theoretical and empirical research has typically attempted to explain such customer loyalty from the perspective of customer's satisfaction. However, although loyal customers are typically satisfied, satisfaction alone can be an unreliable predictor of loyalty. This research examines how switching costs can impact loyalty in a context where network effects may dominate. Additionally, the research measures how loyalty impacts customer willingness to pay (WTP) using a contingent valuation approach. The results reveal that switching costs do increase consumers' loyalty and WTP. For OPSS loyalty is a significant contributor to increased WTP. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
The Effects of Caffeine on Sleep Patterns Among Adolescents

This review of literature examines whether there is a causal relationship between caffeine consumption and sleep patterns among adolescents. Literature suggests that there is a cause and effect relationship between caffeine intake and cognitive performance in adults. Researchers also found that among the adult population, consuming caffeine before sleep resulted in increased sleep onset time, reduced total sleep time, and poorer sleep quality. Specifically, adolescents ingest the majority of their total caffeine intake through caffeinated sodas. Studies have shown that adolescents consume more caffeine later in the week, which correlates with shorter total sleep time and decreased sleep quality. Thus, in review of the literature, it was determined that caffeine negatively affects sleep habits among adults, but further research should be conducted in order to conclude whether this relationship holds true among adolescents.
A survey and comparison of peer-to-peer group communication systems suitable for network-centric warfare

In this paper we describe state-of-the-art peer-to-peer systems and analyze them according to multiple characteristics highlighting (1) scalability, (2) security and (3) fault tolerance. Peer-to-Peer systems are inherently scalable since they create fully decentralized environments across the Internet while simultaneously reducing complexity because each server handles a local set of clients. Peer-to-peer system security has depended primarily on user trust - the fact that any peer can contact any other peer in the system introduces issues of insider attacks from malicious users or external attacks through the Internet. Lastly, while peer-to-peer systems are evolving in response to peer unreliability, fault tolerance/survivability for general-purpose military group communications may require additional middleware. Comparing these characteristics across different peer-to-peer systems is a step towards understanding which system may be appropriate for military group communications and where further research is needed. A secondary result of our comparison is an attempt to move towards common terminology and models between peer-to-peer, application-layer multicast, IP layer multicast, and distributed systems approaches for group communications.
Extending ONU lifetime beyond 72 hours in EPON for emergency communications

The first 72 hours of any disaster relief are critical for saving lives, and are thus referred to as the “golden 72 hours”. In order to extend the optical network unit (ONU) lifetime beyond 72 hours in Ethernet passive optical network (EPON) for emergency communications, this paper proposes proper MAC control, traffic scheduling, and admission control schemes to achieve extremely low energy consumptions of ONUs. Simulation results show that the proposed schemes can efficiently reduce the energy consumptions of ONUs by over 90%. Therefore, the lifetime of an ONU whose battery originally has 8-hour backup time is potentially able to be extended beyond 72 hours.
A Statistical Algorithm for Quantifying Cellular Alignment Distributions

Statistical techniques for the analysis of cellular alignment data are currently limited due to heuristic and qualitative approaches. For example, generally a cut-off degree limit, commonly 20 degrees, is arbitrarily defined within which cells are considered ‘aligned.’ The efficacy of patterned biomaterials in guiding the alignment of cells, such as neurons, is often critical in correlating materials design with biological outcomes. We developed a statistical algorithm for processing cellular alignment data, which implicitly determines an ‘angle of alignment.’ This was accomplished in the following manner: 1) Neuronally-differentiated PC-12 cells were seeded on flat and micropatterned silk fibroin films. Cells ‘aligning’ with an underlying, anisotropic scaffold display uniformly distributed angles up to a cut-off point, determined by how effective the biomaterial is in aligning cells. 2) We then determined where the data sets diverged from the uniform distribution by measuring the spacing between the collected, increasingly ordered angles, modeling this spacing as a time series. 3) This time series was then analyzed for uniformity using a normalized cumulative periodogram (NCP)-criterion. Following this protocol, we were able to define cellular alignments for the patterned silk films, of dimensions 300 patterns/mm, with 8° and 17° pitch angles. Their corresponding alignment indices, as determined through the NCP-criterion were 19° and 8°, respectively, which suggests that steeper pitch angles yield superior alignment. This proposed algorithm offers a novel way to implicitly define cellular alignment, with respect to various patterned biomaterial formats. This method may also offer an alternative, quantitative way to assess cellular alignment, which could offer improved predictive measures related to biological outcomes. Furthermore, the current algorithm is used for evaluating biomaterials in 2D; however, the NCP-criterion may be modified to accommodate 3D data, which will be important for understanding and quantifying regenerative outcomes in vivo.
A system for defining position and motion of the human body parts

A system is suggested for the definition of position and motion of the human body parts. Suitable system locations and orientations are described and examples of the use of the system are demonstrated and its advantages pointed out.
Cutaneous cryptococcosis and histoplasmosis coinfection in a patient with AIDS

Patients with AIDS may have multiple infections at one time, and skin lesions resulting from simultaneous infections with more than one organism have been described. We report a case of disseminated cryptococcal and histoplasmosis infections with cutaneous lesions in a patient with AIDS. In addition, we demonstrate the first case of two coexisting fungal infections in a unique skin lesion. The cutaneous presentation of infectious disorders in HIV-infected patients is often nondescript and not diagnosed by clinical observation alone. Biopsies and cultures are essential for making accurate diagnoses in immunocompromised patients with unusual skin lesions.