cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The initial U3 snoRNA:pre-rRNA base pairing interaction required for pre-18S rRNA folding revealed by in vivo chemical probing

The synthesis of ribosomal subunits in the nucleolus is a conserved, essential process that results in cytoplasmic ribosomes with precisely processed and folded rRNAs assembled with ribosomal proteins. It has been proposed, but never directly demonstrated, that the U3 small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA), a nucleolar component required for ribosome biogenesis, is a chaperone for pre-18S rRNA folding. To test this, we used in vivo chemical probing with dimethyl sulfate to detect changes in pre-rRNA structure upon genetic manipulation of the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Based on changes in nucleotide reactivity, we found that the U3 snoRNA is indeed required for folding of the pre-18S rRNA. Furthermore, we detected a new essential base pairing interaction that is likely the initial anchor that recruits the U3 snoRNA to the pre-rRNA, is a prerequisite for the subsequent interactions, and is required for the small subunit processome formation. Substitution of the 5′-ETS nucleotides of the pre-rRNA involved in this initial base pairing interaction is lethal, but growth is restored when a complementary U3 snoRNA is expressed. The U3 snoRNP, via base pairing, and its associated proteins, are part of the required machinery that orchestrates the folding of pre-rRNA that results in the assembly of the small ribosomal subunit.
Abuse and neglect of the frail elderly at home: an exploration of theoretical relationships

Using an ex post facto, correlational descriptive design, a purposive sample of 74 elderly individuals who were identified as either having a 'good relationship' or an 'abusive/neglectful relationship' with their related caregivers were interviewed in their own homes. The purpose of the study was to test two hypotheses which predicted the nature of differences between the two groups and four which predicted the magnitude and direction of theoretically deduced causal relationships. The data showed that demographic characteristics and certain theoretical variable such as anger, hostility and stress were remarkably similar between groups. The significant differences (P less than 0.05) between the two groups included lower expectations among the abused subjects for their caregivers, lower perceptions among the abused subjects of their caregiver's actual behaviour, differences between the social networks of the two groups and more depression in the 'abuse' group. Using multiple regression analysis, a total of four causal models' were tested using anger, depression, anxiety, and abuse as terminal dependent variables. The amount of explained variance ranged from 22% for anxiety to 58% for abuse. An empirical model was generated from data available in which 2 variables, perceptions of the caregiver and family members in the house available to help, explained 54% of the variance in abuse. Language: en
Teaching Artists: A Century of Tradition and a Commitment to Change

This report summarizes a mixed methods study of teaching artists in a dozen communities across the United States. The study found strong historical connections to the settlement house movement of the late 19th and 20th centuries. Teaching artists today provide much of the arts instruction an enormously large variety of settings—community schools, arts institutions, social service agencies, senior centers, parks, and, increasingly, over the last three decades, public schools. Although highly educated, teaching artists are generally underemployed. Three quarters work part-time, earn less than $10,000 a year from teaching, and must earn additional income from their art or other employment. Most, though, find the work meaningful and satisfying, many believe that teaching makes them better artists, and there is evidence that their teaching methods, which are often project based and highly engaging, are very effective.
Sleep Deprivation, Physician Performance, and Patient Safety

Long work hours, overnight call duty, and rotating shifts are implicit features of hospital medical practice. Rigorous schedules have been deemed necessary to fulfill the professional obligation of patient beneficence, to optimize trainee learning, and to respond to economic realities. However, the resultant disruption and restriction of physicians' sleep produce demonstrable neurobehavioral impairments that may threaten other fundamental professional mandates, such as that of primum non nocere ("first, do no harm"). This article provides a basic overview of sleep/wake regulatory processes, examines the impact of physician schedules on sleep/wake homeostasis, summarizes the laboratory-demonstrated effects of sleep loss on humans, highlights recent literature on the personal and professional effects of sleep loss on physicians, and, finally, discusses the specific countermeasure of work-hour limits applicable to resident physicians but not attending physicians.
Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal epiglottitis as a complication of varicella infection

A rare complication of varicella in an otherwise normal host is described: epiglottitis caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS). The resurgence of invasive disease secondary to GABHS is discussed. The rarity of GABHS bacteremia and epiglottitis in the context of varicella is emphasized.
Comparative mapping of the DiGeorge syndrome region in mouse shows inconsistent gene order and differential degree of gene conservation

We have constructed a comparative map in mouse of the critical region of human 22q11 deleted in DiGeorge (DGS) and Velocardiofacial (VCFS) syndromes. The map includes 11 genes potentially haploinsufficient in these deletion syndromes. We have localized all the conserved genes to mouse Chromosome (Chr) 16, bands B1-B3. The determination of gene order shows the presence of two regions (distal and proximal), containing two groups of conserved genes. The gene order in the two regions is not completely conserved; only in the proximal group is the gene order identical to human. In the distal group the gene order is inverted. These two regions are separated by a DNA segment containing at least one gene which, in the human DGS region, is the most proximal of the known deleted genes. In addition, the gene order within the distal group of genes is inverted relative to the human gene order. Furthermore, a clathrin heavy chain-like gene was not found in the mouse genome by DNA hybridization, indicating that there is an inconsistent level of gene conservation in the region. These and other independent data obtained in our laboratory clearly show a complex evolutionary history of the DGS-VCFS region. Our data provide a framework for the development of a mouse model for the 22q11 deletion with chromosome engineering technologies.
Principal Modes in Graded-Index Multimode Fibers

We model multimode propagation, including spatial- and polarization-mode coupling. At low coupling, the impulse response is polarization-dependent; differential mode delays (DMDs) scale linearly with length. At high coupling, DMDs scale as the square-root of length.
An efficient, accurate, simple ALE method for nonlinear finite element programs

Abstract A simple arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian formulation is presented. An operator split separates the Lagrangian and Eulerian processes, allowing a Lagrangian finite element program to be extended to this formulation with little difficulty. Example problems illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of the formulation.
Electron impact ionization cross sections and rates for highly ionized atoms.

Abstract Electron impact ionization cross sections and rates for hydrogen-, helium- and lithium-like ions are presented in simple analytical form, based on a set of parameters derived from distorted wave exchange cross section calculations. Isoelectronic fits to the parameters used in the formulate allow rapid generation of cross sections and rates for any ion in these sequences with a minimum of computational effort. The use of accurate Bethe slopes in the cross section-fitting algorithm yields good accuracy both in the near threshold and high energy regions. The rate coefficient is given in the form of a correction to the commonly used Seaton formula and is thus readily adaptable to existing plasma modeling computer codes. Comparisons of the present results with other theoretical and experimental data are made.
Determinants of Postembolization Syndrome after Hepatic Chemoembolization

PURPOSE Postembolization syndrome (PES) occurs in the majority of patients undergoing hepatic chemoembolization, and is the major reason for hospitalization after the procedure. The ability to identify which groups of patients are at increased or decreased risk of PES would be useful to better counsel patients, to minimize toxicity, and to plan inpatient versus outpatient therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy hepatic chemoembolization procedures were performed in 29 patients using cytotoxic drugs mixed with Ethiodol and polyvinyl alcohol. The following procedural variables were retrospectively assessed and evaluated for association with PES and length of postprocedural hospitalization: gallbladder embolization, lobe embolized, percentage liver volume embolized, percentage embolized volume occupied by tumor, previous embolization of the same territory, and dose of chemoembolic emulsion. Logistic regression was used to quantify the relative effect of each procedural variable. RESULTS Gallbladder embolization and dose administered were associated with an increased risk of PES and an extended hospitalization, with odds ratios of 2.8 and 3.0, and 3.0 and 4.6, respectively. Previous embolization was associated with a decreased risk of both PES and extended hospitalization, with odds ratios of 0.5 and 0.4, respectively. There was a statistical trend toward significance for gallbladder embolization ( P = .06), dose administered ( P = .07), and previous embolization ( P = .14). CONCLUSION Clinically relevant predictors of the severity of PES and length of postprocedural hospitalization may exist. Avoiding embolization of the gallbladder reduces the risk of PES. Re-embolization of previously treated vessels is associated with decreased toxicity and may assist in selecting patients for treatment on an outpatient basis, especially when a reduced dose is required.
CLONAL HERBAL EXTRACTS AS ELICITORS OF PHENOLIC SYNTHESIS IN DARK‐GERMINATED MUNGBEANS FOR IMPROVING NUTRITIONAL VALUE WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR FOOD SAFETY

Plant phenolics are secondary metabolites that confer beneficial properties to the plants that produce them. Extracts made from plants that produce these phytochemicals are increasingly being recognized for their antimicrobial properties. In this study, we investigated extracts made from high-phenolics-producing clonal lines of oregano and thyme for potential as elicitors of phenolic antioxidant production in dark-germinated mungbean (Vigna radiata). Mungbean was dark-germinated under the rationale that any energy stored in the bean seed in the form of starch may potentially be utilized for enhanced phenolics production, since without a light source the dark-germinated seedling may not stimulate the development of photosynthetic components. Water-based herb extracts showed the greatest ability to stimulate phenolic content in dark-germinated mungbeans. Three of the oregano extracts were investigated further and showed an ability to stimulate glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), and antioxidant activity. These results suggest that the extracts contain an active elicitor that stimulates phenolic antioxidant content, as well as activity of the pentose-phosphate pathway. In addition, the results of this study suggest that extracts of high-phenolics-producing clonal plants may have potential in the food and agriculture industry as seed treatments for preventing bacterial infection in germinating sprouts by stimulating phenolic antioxidant-producing pathways, as well as for increasing the nutritional value of sprouts for human consumption. Les composes phenoliques sont des metabolites secondaires qui conferent des proprietes fonctionnelles aux plantes qui les produisent. Cette etude evalue des extraits de lignees clonales d'origan et de thym, produisant des teneurs importantes en composes phenoliques, comme eliciteurs de production d'antioxydants phenoliques dans des haricots mungo (Vigna radiata) germes a l'obscurite. Les resultats indiquent que ces extraits contiennent un eliciteur qui augmente la teneur en composes phenoliques et l'activite de la voie des pentoses-phosphate.
Exploring users' creation of personalized behavioral plans

As an initial effort in developing tools that support users' creation of their own behavior-change plans, we conducted a formative user study. We intended to explore people's creation of plans for their own behavioral goals, with minimal support to facilitate their goal-setting, implementation of behavior-change techniques, and self-monitoring. In this paper, we present lessons that we obtained from this initial study, and insights on shifts in our design tools for a follow-up formative study currently underway.
Use of force in minority communities is related to police education, age, experience, and ethnicity

Some experts argue that better-educated police may use less force, but research has been equivocal. In three mainly-minority US cities, 511 officers reported their use of force, acceptance of others’ force use, age, experience, ethnicity, and education. Among patrol officers only, education predicted less frequent force and lower levels of force use. Across all duties, including patrol officers, detectives and other, younger officers used more force, but with age controlled, more experienced officers used more force. Those who reported greater use of force were less accepting of use of force in general. These complex relationships may help explain previous contradictory results. Research on excessive force must take officer characteristics into account.
DNS of turbulent thermal boundary layers up to Reθ = 2300

Abstract A technique, based on the Lund et al. (1998) [1] approach, is introduced in order to numerically prescribe time-dependent turbulent inflow conditions in spatially-developing thermal boundary layers. A major difference with Lund’s approach is that the new multi-scale approach considers different scaling laws for the inner and outer parts of the boundary layer. Direct numerical simulations (DNS) are performed for incompressible zero (ZPG) and adverse (APG) pressure gradient flows. To the best of our knowledge, the present DNS in ZPG flows at a momentum thickness Reynolds numbers (Reθ) of 2300 represents the evolving thermal boundary layer simulations at the highest Reθ in the turbulence community. The temperature is treated as a passive scalar with isothermal walls as a boundary condition and a molecular Prandtl number of 0.71. The predicted Stanton number shows fairly good agreement with empirical correlations, and experimental and numerical data from the literature. Moreover, the influences of the Reynolds number and the APG strength on thermal parameters are also examined. Furthermore, the budget of the temperature variance shows a significant increase of production, turbulent diffusion, and dissipation in the buffer layer at higher Reynolds numbers. The main effects of adverse pressure gradients on the temperature field are manifested by a decreasing trend of thermal fluctuations but an increasing trend of the wall-normal turbulent heat fluxes when normalized by wall units as the APG strength is augmented.
Suicide in teens and young adults in the United States

Abstract Introduction Physicians choose a career in medicine to help people live longer, healthier lives. When individuals attempt to, or succeed in, ending their lives, it is very stressful for their families, friends, and care providers. This is particularly true when adolescents choose to end their young lives. Aim of this paper This paper will provide an overview of adolescent suicide in the United States. Special emphasis will be placed on reviewing the epidemiology of adolescent suicide, known risk factors and suggestions for early intervention. The authors review the extant literature, including the Columbia Suicide Assessment Scale (C-CASA), and highlight areas in need of additional research.
Biliary atresia: Histopathologic observations and reflections upon its natural history

Operative liver biopsies and specimens of the extrahepatic ducts and porta hepatis have been studied in 12 cases of biliary atresia. In all cases, the liver showed giant cell transformation and inflammation with mononuclear cells and neutrophils. Most had other features of neonatal hepatitis, including necrosis of hepatocytes. In the intrahepatic bile ducts of all cases but one, the hepatic ducts and glands at the porta hepatis, and in the extrahepatic ducts where epithelium remained, there was degeneration of the epithelium and intramural inflammation. In the ducts at the porta hepatis and in 6 of 8 extrahepatic ducts where epithelium remained, there was extensive mural fibrosis compromising the diameter of the duct lumens. Three cases showed the inflammatory changes distal to sites of closure of the extrahepatic ducts. These findings demonstrate that in biliary atresia, hepatitis, intrahepatic cholangitis, and sclerosing cholangitis of the extrahepatic ducts all interact to produce acquired obstruction to bile flow.
A Thai speech translation system for medical dialogs

In this paper we present our activities towards a Thai Speech-to-Speech translation system. We investigated in the design and implementation of a prototype system. For this purpose we carried out research on bootstrapping a Thai speech recognition system, developing a translation component, and building an initial Thai synthesis system using our existing tools.
Neurons switch from non-neuronal enolase to neuron-specific enolase during differentiation.

Abstract The enolase (EC 4.2.1.11) isoenzymes, neuron-specific enolase (NSE,γγ) and non-neuronal enolase (NNE, αα), are markers for neurons and glia, respectively, in adult mammalian brain. In developing fetal and early postnatal brain, levels of non-neuronal enolase (NNE) are high. Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) appears only after neurogenesis begins in a given region and only slowly attains adult levels. Immunocytochemistry in developing rat and rhesus monkey brain reveals that proliferative zones that give rise to neurons are NNE(+). Thus, nerve cells must undergo a switch from NNE to NSE. In addition, study of neurons in cerebellum and neocortex reveals that they are NNE(+) during migration and only become NSE(+) in their final location, presumably after making full synaptic connections. Such migrating cells may contain hybrid enolase (άγ) and some (e.g. cerebellar stellate/basket cells) may not completely switch over to NSE even in the adult. Neuron-specific enolase is not only a specific molecular marker for mature nerve cells, but is closely correlated to the differentiated state.
Homogeneous anionic polymerization. I. Molecular weights of polystyrene initiated by sodium naphthalene

A study has been carried out on the molecular weight distributions of polystyrene initiated by sodium naphthalene in tetrahydrofuran solution. Stringent high-vacuum techniques were used in order to minimize initiator destruction or chain termination. Molecular weights were measured by osmotic pressure, dilute solution viscosity, light scattering and sedimentation equilibrium. In general, the molecular weight distributions found were quite narrow, as predicted, and corresponded to a stoichiometry of one polymer chain for two initiator molecules. However, the breadth of the distribution was very sensitive to experimental conditions, the Mw/Mn values found ranging from 1.1 to 1.5. At the higher molecular weights, there was some indication of a chain transfer reaction, leading to a lower molecular weight than expected, as well as a broadening of the distribution. This transfer reaction did not appear to be due to any transfer step between the short-lived radical-anions and the solvent.
Temperature-dependent nonlinearities in GaN/AlGaN HEMTs

Temperature-dependent nonlinearities of GaN/AlGaN HEMTs are reported. The large-signal device model of the transistor is obtained by using a physics-based analysis. The model parameters are obtained as functions of bias voltages and temperature. The analysis of the device has been carried out using a time-domain technique. f/sub max/ for a 0.23 /spl mu/m/spl times/100 /spl mu/m Al/sub 0.13/Ga/sub 0.87/N/GaN FET is calculated as 69 GHz at 300 K, while at 500 K, f/sub max/ decreases to 30 GHz, which are in agreement with the experimental data within 7% error. f/sub max/ as obtained from calculated unilateral gain, decreases monotonically with increasing temperature. For shorter gate lengths irrespective of the operating temperature f/sub max/ is less sensitive to bias voltage scaling. For longer gate length devices, f/sub max/ becomes less sensitive to the bias voltage scaling at elevated temperatures. 1-dB compression point (P/sub 1-dB/) at 4 GHz for a 1 /spl mu/m/spl times/500 /spl mu/m Al/sub 0.15/Ga/sub 0.85/N/GaN FET is 13 dBm at 300 K. At 500 K, P/sub 1-dB/ decreases to 2.5 dBm for the same operating frequency. Similar results for output referred third intercept point (OIP3) are reported for different gate length devices.
Paranasal sinus exostoses: an unusual complication of topical drug delivery using cold nasal irrigations.

Objectives/Hypothesis: The use of topical drug delivery through nasal irrigations can minimize systemic side effects and deliver higher concentrations of drugs directly to diseased sinus mucosa. Complications related to this popular method of treatment are not well described. We present our experience with paranasal sinus exostosis (PSE), a new diagnostic entity that appears to be a complication of cold nasal irrigations. Study Design: Retrospective chart review. Methods: Retrospective chart reviews were performed on patients within the Cleveland Clinic Foundation from 2005 to 2011. Six patients were identified with sinus exostoses. A literature review for “sinonasal exostoses” and “paranasal sinus exostoses” was performed using PubMed. Results: Six patients with PSE were identified at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation between 2005 and 2011. All patients had undergone sinus surgery, and none had documented evidence of PSE prior to surgery. There was no evidence of worsening PSE once the cold irrigations were stopped. No patients showed any resolution of PSE over time. None of our patients has progressed to have disease burden significant enough to require intervention. Conclusions: PSE is a rare condition that mirrors a well-described otologic process; exostoses of the external auditory canal. PSE appears to be a complication of cold nasal irrigations. It does not resolve with the halting of cold irrigations, but does not appear to progress further after intervention. PSE only affects postoperative patients. With the evolving trend to treat postoperative sinus disease topically, the clinician should be aware of the dangers of cold irrigations, and patients should be counseled accordingly.
A comprehensive circuit-level model of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

The increasing interest in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSEL's) requires the corresponding development of circuit-level VCSEL models for use in the design and simulation of optoelectronic applications. Unfortunately, existing models lack either the computational efficiency or the comprehensiveness warranted by circuit-level simulation. Thus, in this paper we present a comprehensive circuit-level model that accounts for the thermal and spatial dependence of a VCSEL's behavior. The model is based on multimode rate equations and empirical expressions for the thermal dependence of the active-layer gain and carrier leakage, thereby facilitating the simulation of VCSEL's in the context of an optoelectronic system. To confirm that our model is valid, we present sample simulations that demonstrate its ability to replicate typical dc, small-signal, and transient operation, including temperature-dependent light-current (LI) curves and modulation responses, multimode behavior, and diffusive turn-off transients. Furthermore, we verify our model against experimental data from four devices reported in the literature. As the results will show, we obtained excellent agreement between simulation and experiment.
The hospitalized patient with abnormal liver function tests.

Evaluation of abnormal liver function tests (LFTs) in the hospitalized patient is typically more urgent than the outpatient setting. This process is best organized into four steps. The first step is to determine whether the abnormal LFTs are associated with the illness resulting in the admission to the hospital or preceded the present illness. The second is to determine the etiology of the underlying liver disease. The third step is to evaluate the severity of the liver dysfunction and determine if acute liver failure (ALF) or acute decompensation of chronic liver failure is present. The final step is to look for the presence of associated complications—either those of ALF or chronic liver failure as appropriate.
Exploring the accessibility and appeal of surface computing for older adult health care support

This paper examines accessibility issues of surface computing with older adults and explores the appeal of surface computing for health care support. We present results from a study involving 20 older adults (age 60 to 88) performing gesture-based interactions on a multitouch surface. Older adults were able to successfully perform all actions on the surface computer, but some gestures that required two fingers (resize) and fine motor movement (rotate) were problematic. Ratings for ease of use and ease of performing each action as well as time required to figure out an action were similar to that of younger adults. Older adults reported that the surface computer was less intimidating, less frustrating, and less overwhelming than a traditional computer. The idea of using a surface computer for health care support was well-received by participants. We conclude with a discussion of design issues involving surface computing for older adults and use of this technology for health care.
Biological effects of space radiation and development of effective countermeasures

As part of a program to assess the adverse biological effects expected from astronaut exposure to space radiation, numerous different biological effects relating to astronaut health have been evaluated. There has been major focus recently on the assessment of risks related to exposure to solar particle event (SPE) radiation. The effects related to various types of space radiation exposure that have been evaluated are: gene expression changes (primarily associated with programmed cell death and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling), oxidative stress, gastrointestinal tract bacterial translocation and immune system activation, peripheral hematopoietic cell counts, emesis, blood coagulation, skin, behavior/fatigue (including social exploration, submaximal exercise treadmill and spontaneous locomotor activity), heart functions, alterations in biological endpoints related to astronaut vision problems (lumbar puncture/intracranial pressure, ocular ultrasound and histopathology studies), and survival, as well as long-term effects such as cancer and cataract development. A number of different countermeasures have been identified that can potentially mitigate or prevent the adverse biological effects resulting from exposure to space radiation.
Amdahl’s figure of merit, SiGe HBT BiCMOS, and 3D chip stacking

Forty years ago Gene Amdahl published a figure of merit for parallel computation, which proved extremely controversial. The controversy still rages today, although those that have looked closely at this figure of merit conclude that it is correct, but perhaps misinterpreted. In this paper we will look at a small variation on that law that suggests computer designers should take a closer look at two emerging technologies, SiGe HBT BiCMOS and 3D chip stacking. We may be overlooking a way to continue the clock race, and in so doing accomplish better parallelism.
Telomere length dynamics in human memory T cells specific for viruses causing acute or latent infections

Declining telomere length (TL) is associated with T cell senescence. While TL in naive and memory T cells declines with increasing age, there is limited data on TL dynamics in virus-specific memory CD4+ T cells in healthy adults. We combined BrdU-labeling of virus-stimulated T cells followed with flow cytometry-fluorescent in situ hybridization for TL determination. We analyzed TL in T cells specific for several virus infections: non-recurring acute (vaccinia virus, VACV), recurring-acute (influenza A virus, IAV), and reactivating viruses (varicella-zoster virus, VZV, and cytomegalovirus, CMV) in 10 healthy subjects. Additionally, five subjects provided multiple blood samples separated by up to 10 years. VACV- and CMV-specific T cells had longer average TL than IAV-specific CD4+ T cells. Although most virus-specific cells were CD45RA-, we observed a minor population of BrdU+ CD45RA+ T cells characterized by long telomeres. Longitudinal analysis demonstrated a slow decline in average TL in virus-specific T cells. However, in one subject, VZV reactivation led to an increase in average TL in VZV-specific memory T cells, suggesting a conversion of longer TL cells from the naive T cell repertoire. TLs in memory CD4+ T cells in otherwise healthy adults are heterogeneous and follow distinct virus-specific kinetics. These findings suggests that the distribution of TL and the creation and maintenance of long TL memory T cells could be important for the persistence of long-lived T cell memory.
Evaluation of rebreathing in various modifications of the Mapleson-D system

Several modifications of the Bain system for nitrous oxide analgesia or general anesthesia were tested for rebreathing and retention of CO2. The classic Bain circuit causes the most rebreathing as measured by the fractional concentration of CO2 in a sample of inspired gas (FICO2), but stimulation of the respiratory system seems to allow near normal end tidal CO2 and arterial CO2 tensions. The most predictable systems that have the least amount of rebreathing are those that have the least dead space.
PRAGMATISM IN BIOETHICS: BEEN THERE, DONE THAT

It has often been remarked that bioethics is a quintessentially American phenomenon. Broadly speaking, bioethics as a field has tended to enshrine the value of autonomy, it places individual rights above communal well-being, and it has adopted a largely permissive and optimistic view of emerging biotechnologies. In contrast to much European thinking at the intersection of ethics and medicine, American-style bioethics has been resolutely middlebrow, eschewing grand philosophical schemes in favor of pragmatic policy-making and democratic consensus. It was, then, perhaps only a matter of time before various theorists began proposing a marriage between bioethics and pragmatism, which is the homegrown American philosophy.
Treatment of Acute Otitis Media Consensus Recommendations

The objective of this paper is to provide consensus recommendations for the management of acute otitis media (AOM) that pediatricians can incorporate into their daily practices. These recommendations were developed during a roundtable meeting that convened clinicians versed in the management of AOM. This meeting was sponsored by an educational grant from SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals. In addition, clinical studies on AOM identified via MEDLINE search were considered in the development of these recommendations. The Drug-Resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae Therapeutic Working Group guidelines for the management of AOM are reviewed in detail. All of the articles identified from the data sources were evaluated and all information deemed relevant was included in this review. AOM is one of the most common infectious diseases affecting infants and children and one of the leading causes of office visits and antibiotic prescriptions for this population. The incidence of AOM has increased during the past 25 years, probably the result of an increased utilization of day care facilities in the United States. The predominant pathogens in AOM include S. pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. The high prevalence of drug-resistant S. pneumoniae and beta-lactamase-producing organisms presents a clinical challenge for practitioners in the selection of empiric antimicrobial therapy. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic principles should be considered in addition to minimum inhibitory concentrations in selecting antibiotics for AOM. Amoxicillin at conventional or high doses (80-90 mg/kg/day) remains an appropriate choice for first-line therapy for AOM. For patients in whom amoxicillin is unsuccessful, second-line therapy should have demonstrated activity against penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae as well as beta-lactamase-producing pathogens. Appropriate options for second-line therapy include high-dose amoxicillin/clavulanate (90 mg/kg/day based on the amoxicillin component) and ceftriaxone. Cefuroxime has been suggested as a second-line agent in the past, but recent surveillance data suggest it may no longer be active against penicillin-resistant strains of S. pneumoniae. Tympanocentesis is useful for identifying the causative pathogen, and it may be beneficial for patients who have failed multiple courses of antibiotics. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine recently was approved for use in children and should be administered to all children less than 2 years old and those at risk for recurrent AOM (e.g., day care attendance, siblings with a history of recurrent AOM). Consensus recommendations are provided for the management of AOM, with a focus on antimicrobial therapy. The current challenges in the management of AOM include the need for an increased understanding of epidemiology, increasing resistance among common middle ear pathogens, use of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic principles in designing treatment strategies, and understanding the potential impact of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.
The necessity of average rewards in cooperative multirobot learning

Learning can be an effective way for robot systems to deal with dynamic environments and changing task conditions. However, popular single-robot learning algorithms based on discounted rewards, such as Q learning, do not achieve cooperation (i.e., purposeful division of labor) when applied to task-level multirobot systems. A task-level system is defined as one performing a mission that is decomposed into subtasks shared among robots. We demonstrate the superiority of average-reward-based learning such as the Monte Carlo algorithm for task-level multirobot systems, and suggest an explanation for this superiority.
Neuropathic Tissue Responds Preferentially to Stimulation by Intense Focused Ultrasound

Abstract We tested the hypothesis that neuropathic tissue is more sensitive to stimulation by intense focused ultrasound (iFU) than control tissue. We created a diffusely neuropathic paw in rats via partial ligation of the sciatic nerve, whose sensitivity to iFU stimulation we compared with sham-surgery and normal control paws. We then applied increasing amounts of iFU (individual 0.2 s pulses at 1.15 MHz) to the rats' paws, assaying for their reliable withdrawal from that stimulation. Neuropathic rats preferentially withdrew their injured paw from iFU at smaller values of iFU intensity (84.2 W/cm 2 ± 25.5) than did sham surgery (97.7 W/cm 2 ± 11.9) and normal control (> 223 W/cm 2 ) animals, with greater sensitivity and specificity (85% for neuropathic rats and 50% each of sham surgery and normal control rats). These results directly support our hypothesis as well as Gavrilov's idea that doctors may some day use iFU stimulation to diagnose patients with neuropathies.
Conformational Dynamics Involved in RNA Self-Splicing

In some species of the ciliated protozoan, Tetrahymena, the genes for the large rRNA (ribosomal RNA) are interrupted by an IVS (intervening sequence or intron) approximately 400 base pairs in size (Wild and Gall, 1979). The genes are transcribed by RNA polymerase I to give a pre-rRNA that contains the IVS (Din et al., 1979; Cech and Rio, 1979). The pre-rRNA is then subject to an RNA processing reaction called RNA splicing, by which the IVS is excised and the exons or flanking sequences are ligated. RNA splicing is required for the expression of most mRNA genes and some rRNA and tRNA genes in the nuclei of eukaryotes, and is also involved in the expression of some mitochondrial and chloroplast genes.
Drug-related corruption of police officers: A contemporary typology

This project studied drug-related police corruption in thirteen law-enforcement agencies nationwide through the use of interviews and a content analysis of documents related to drug-corruption investigations. Findings indicate that there are two distinct types of drug corruption. Type 1, characterized as a “Search for Illegitimate Goals”. is the traditionally conceptualized corruption involving bribery, theft, and similar activities. It is characterized by two behavioral notivations, defined as a “user-driven cycle” and a “profit-driven cycle”. Type 2 is labeled “In Search of Legitimate Goals” and involves corruption of the criminal justice process, in which officers violate criminal procedure, perjure themselves, and plant evidence as means to facilitate drug-law enforcement. Despite the significant differences in the corruption types, eight common factors were found to permeate both types. These were: opportunity structure, abrogation of trust, rationalization, the invulnerability factor, Blue Code of Secrecy, market forces of the illicit drug trade, inadequate organizational controls, and persistence of the corruption patterns.
Categorial approach to machine learning

W.C. Hoffman (1970, 1985) has demonstrated the utility of mathematical category theory in explaining the functions of the multiple topographic maps in the cortex. After some mathematical preliminaries, the authors describe the Hoffman model in more detail. A comparison to other current theories follows and then an application to learning in machine vision is presented. Two otherwise unsolvable problems are treated by supplementing perceptrons with prolongations. Hoffman proposed that the brain used prolongations of the symmetry groups of visual perception. The first problem is the XOR problem and the second is ASCII character recognition. In each case, prolonged images of the original image are added to the perceptron's input set. This addition transforms these linearly inseparable problems into separable ones. This is a general result. Any recognition problem becomes linearly separable, and hence perception solvable, by sufficient prolongation. >
Crack Deflection and Propagation in Layered Silicon Nitride/Boron Nitride Ceramics

Crack deflection and the subsequent growth of delamination cracks can be a potent source of energy dissipation during the fracture of layered ceramics. In this study, multilayered ceramics that consist of silicon nitride (Si3N4) layers separated by boron nitride/silicon nitride (BN/Si3N4) interphases have been manufactured and tested. Flexural tests reveal that the crack path is dependent on the composition of the interphase between the Si3N4 layers. Experimental measurements of interfacial fracture resistance and frictional sliding resistance show that both quantities increase as the Si3N4 content in the interphase increases. However, contrary to existing theories, high energy-absorption capacity has not been realized in materials that exhibit crack deflection but also have moderately high interfacial fracture resistance. Significant energy absorption has been measured only in materials with very low interfacial fracture resistance values. A method of predicting the critical value of the interfacial fracture resistance necessary to ensure a high energy-absorption capacity is presented.
Controls on sediment production in two U.S. deserts

Much of the world’s airborne sediment originates from dryland regions. Soil surface disturbances in these regions are ever-increasing due to human activities such as energy and mineral exploration and development, recreation, suburbanization, livestock grazing and cropping. Sediment production can have significant impacts to human health with particles potentially carrying viruses such as Valley Fever or causing asthma or other respiratory diseases. Dust storms can cause decreased visibility at the ground level, resulting in highway accidents, and reduced visual quality in park and wildland airsheds. Sediment production and deposition is also detrimental to ecosystem health, as production reduces soil fertility at its source and can bury plants and other organisms where it is deposited. Therefore, it is important to understand how we can predict what areas are prone to producing sediment emissions both before and after soil surface disturbance. We visited 87 sites in two deserts of the western U.S. that represented a range of soil texture and surface cover types. We used a portable wind tunnel to estimate the threshold friction velocity (TFV) required to initiate sediment transport and the amount of sediment produced by the tunnel at a set wind speed. Wind tunnel runs were done before and after soil surface disturbance with a fourwheel drive vehicle. Results show that most undisturbed desert soils are very stable, especially if covered by rocks or well-developed biological soil crusts, which make them virtually wind-erosion proof. Particles at disturbed sites, in contrast, moved at relatively low wind speeds and produced high amounts of sediment. Silt was an important predictor of TFV and sediment production across all sites, whereas the influence of rock cover and biological soil crusts was site-dependent. Understanding the vulnerability of a site after disturbance is important information for land managers as they plan land use activities and attempt to mitigate the harmful effects that sediment production can have on both human and ecosystem health. 2014 Published by Elsevier B.V.
Demand-side interventions for maternal care: evidence of more use, not better outcomes

Background: Reducing maternal and neonatal mortality is essential to improving population health. Demand-side interventions are designed to increase uptake of critical maternal health services, but associated change in service uptake and outcomes is varied. We undertook a literature review to understand current evidence of demand-side intervention impact on improving utilization and outcomes for mothers and newborn children. Methods: We completed a rapid review of literature in PubMed. Title and abstracts of publications identified from selected search terms were reviewed to identify articles meeting inclusion criteria: demand-side intervention in low or middle-income countries (LMIC), published after September 2004 and before March 2014, study design describing and reporting on >1 priority outcome: utilization (antenatal care visits, facility-based delivery, delivery with a skilled birth attendant) or health outcome measures (maternal mortality ratio (MMR), stillbirth rate, perinatal mortality rate (PMR), neonatal mortality rate (NMR)). Bibliographies were searched to identify additional relevant papers. Articles were abstracted using a standardized data collection template with double extraction on a sample to ensure quality. Quality of included studies was assessed using McMaster University’s Quality Assessment Tool from the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP). Results: Five hundred and eighty two articles were screened with 50 selected for full review and 16 meeting extraction criteria (eight community mobilization interventions (CM), seven financial incentive interventions (FI), and one with both). We found that demand-side interventions were effective in increasing uptake of key services with five CM and all seven FI interventions reporting increased use of maternal health services. Association with health outcome measures were varied with two studies reporting reductions in MMR and four reporting reduced NMR. No studies found a reduction in stillbirth rate. Only four of the ten studies reporting on both utilization and outcomes reported improvement in both measures. Conclusions: We found strong evidence that demand-side interventions are associated with increased utilization of services with more variable evidence of their impact on reducing early neonatal and maternal mortality. Further research is needed to understand how to maximize the potential of demand-side interventions to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes including the role of quality improvement and coordination with supply-side interventions.
Operating System/2 Version 2.0 — Vielfalt ohne Grenzen

Wenn in der Vergangenheit verschiedene Betriebssysteme parallel eingesetzt werden musten, hatte dies eine geteilte Betriebssystemumgebung zur Folge. Mit OS/2 2.0 steht nun als Alternative die integrierte Unterstutzung von DOS, Windows* und OS/2 zur Verfugung. Damit kann jede Anwendung, die auf einer dieser drei Plattformen lauft, ausgefuhrt werden.
A Novel Experimental Scheme to Fully Separate Permethylated Glycans and Allow Online RP-LC-MS with Simplified ESI-MS Analysis

Permethylation of glycans is one of the steps used in glycoprotein analysis. Typical LC-MS configurations involve reverse-phase chromatography coupled online to ESI-MS systems. Historically, reverse phase chromatography has been unsuccessful in separating permethylated glycans. The interactions between the hydrophobic stationary phase and the glycans, which have similar monosaccharide compositions, are not distinct enough to enable their resolved separation. Therefore, ion chromatography is commonly used to separated these modified glycans. In this work the authors have discovered a method that for the first time enables separation of permethylated glycans using reverse-phase media and mass spectrometry compatible mobile phases. The method, which involves heat activation in conjunction with use of small-particle size columns, has been successful in resolving both isomeric and structurally similar glycans. The results of this new separation technique are a significant improvement over ion chromatography and allow the LC to be directly coupled to the mass spectrometer for MS and MS/MS sequence analysis. With electrospray ionization glycans and other large organic molecules greater than 2000 Da. are typically exhibited as charged ions within an ion series. In addition glycans can form multiple adducts resulting in complex spectra for just a single glycan. We observed that glycans separated with this new approach exhibited a very unusual behavior during electrospray ionization resulting in singly charged ions for all glycans even those with masses greater than 4000 Da. The presence of a single ion for each glycan greatly simplifies analysis of the mass spectra. In addition the lack of multiple-charged species results in improved mass accuracy by obviating the need to perform deisotoping calculations that can propagate mass errors. These results and observations will be presented in the poster. In addition this initial discovery has spurred other research which builds on this technique using alternate reverse-phase media for quantitation of glycans.
Modeling Transitions between Responsive and Resistant States in Breast Cancer with Application to Therapy Optimization

We present a mathematical model that captures the transitions among three experimentally observed estrogen sensitivity phenotypes in breast cancer cells. Based on this model, a population-level model is created and used to explore the optimization of a therapeutic protocol