cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Small carnivoran fauna of the Mascall Formation, Crooked River Basin, central Oregon

The Hemingfordian North American Land Mammal Age is a poorly known time period, although recently discovered sites in central Oregon have begun to cast light on a diverse mammalian fauna. Here, we ...
The Evening Star: The Rise and Fall of a Great Washington Newspaper

In the decades before television began eliminating metro evening newspapers, and before Watergate turned the Washington Post into a journalistic icon, the newspaper scene in the nation’s capital wa...
Cardiac Complications Associated with Neuromuscular Diseases

Neuromuscular diseases (NMD) are a group of diseases that affect multiple organ systems. Cardiac involvement is a common manifestation in these individuals and the presentation can vary depending on the involvement of the heart musculature or the conduction apparatus. The diagnosis and treatment become critical due to an increased morbidity and mortality associated with cardiac complications that develop in NMD patients. The drawback of limited literature available on specific cardiovascular pathologies, the natural course of the disease, and targeted treatment options in patients with NMD makes it a challenging task for the managing physician. This chapter outlines cardiac manifestations encountered in different NMDs, the diagnostic tools, available treatment modalities, and screening techniques that can be utilized for a tailored approach in these patients.
Air Pollution and Academic Performance: Evidence From China

This paper studies the relationship between air pollution at birth and youth cognitive skill development in China. This study combines the air pollution data by location compiled by the World Bank with the Chinese Household Income Project (CHIP) 2008. OLS and 2SLS results show that a standard deviation increase of total suspended particulate at birth lowers the average literature score by 2.16 to 2.52 percent, and it lowers the average math score by 2.76 to 5.28 percent. The detrimental impact of early exposure to air pollution becomes more apparent as the child ages. Air pollution exposure in utero has a greater adverse impact than does exposure to air pollution in later childhood.
Nest site selection of White-tailed Hawks (Geranoaetus albicaudatus) on Texas barrier islands

The distribution of the White-tailed Hawk (Geranoaetus albicaudatus) in the United States is restricted to the prairies and savannas of the Gulf Coastal Plain of Texas. Although listed as a state threatened species, it remains one of the least studied raptors in North America. It appears to reach high densities on some Texas barrier islands despite the island vegetation communities being structurally simple and providing few nesting substrates. We compared vegetation and landscape characteristics for sets of White-tailed Hawk nest sites and random sites on 3 Texas barrier islands (Matagorda, Mustang, and North Padre) representing a gradient of low to high human presence and impact. We constructed model sets consisting of vegetation and landscape features measured at a random subsample of nest sites and random sites, then assessed model sets with logistic regression. Our best constructed model correctly differentiated 83% of nest sites from random sites on Matagorda Island, 70% on Mustang Island, and 50% on North Padre Island. Overall, it appears that the structure of nest substrates was important to White-tailed Hawk nest-site selection: shrubs categorized as densely structured with or without thorns accounted for 78% of nest substrates compared to only 13% of paired, random potential substrates. The most frequently selected nest substrates overall were yaupon (Ilex vomitoria; 43%) and Macartney rose (Rosa bracteata; 24%). If White-tailed Hawks are to be conserved on the barrier islands, a balance will need to be found between continued anthropogenic development, maintenance of habitat patches, and availability of suitable nesting substrates.
Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Rates by Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Among 18-44-Year-Olds in the U.S.

In the U.S., human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination has been recommended for individuals up to age 26, although the vaccination is currently approved for all people up to the age of 45. This research sought to explore HPV vaccination disparities by age with subgroup analysis by gender identity and sexual orientation groups, as well as sociodemographic factors that may serve as barriers to or facilitators of vaccination. This study used data from the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Only data for individuals who reported their gender identity, sexual orientation, and HPV vaccination status were included in the analytic sample (n = 7330). HPV vaccination rates for this sample were low, as only 18.2% (n = 1332) of the sample had received the HPV vaccination. These low rates of vaccination were similar across all subsamples: cisgender men (9.8%, n = 343), cisgender women (25.8%, n = 985), heterosexuals (17.5%, n = 1197), lesbian women or gay men (20.8%, n = 40), and bisexuals (30.8%, n = 95). In multivariable logistic regression models, younger participants (18–34) were more likely to report receiving the HPV vaccination across all subsamples. Further modeling indicated several common factors associated with higher odds of vaccination: living in a metropolitan area, having insurance coverage, and having at least one provider. Understanding vaccination disparities, as well as vaccination facilitators and barriers, is important to inform policy and program efforts. This is especially significant for adults between the ages of 35 and 44 who were excluded from the initial vaccination recommendations but are vulnerable due to changing cultural norms, including delayed marriage, nonmonogamous long-term relationships, and the ending of long-term partnerships.
Early Experience with SARs-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine Breakthrough Among Kidney Transplant Recipients

The efficacy of vaccinations among vulnerable populations such as solid organ transplant recipients on chronic immunosuppression have been suboptimal compared to the general population(1-2) Preliminary data suggests the humoral response rate for solid organ transplant patients who have received both doses of SARs-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine, either mRNA-1273 (Moderna) or BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech), is roughly 54% (3) However, the clinical implications and real life impact of this is still unknown
Impact of cancer on emergency department outcomes.

e18618Background: Cancer patients frequently utilize the Emergency Department (ED) for a variety of diagnoses, both related and unrelated to their cancer. Patients with cancer have unique risks rel...
"Endireitar" a educação: as escolas e a nova aliança conservadora

With this article Apple promotes an analysis over the new hegemonic bloc that since the early 80´s has been profoundly towering in determining both the rhythm and bits of current social policies. This historical bloc that includes neo-liberals, neo-conservatives, the new professional middle class and the authoritarian populists, is driven by neo-liberal insights, and Apple in his analyses tries to examine not only the way these groups overcome their own antagonisms and discrepancies in order to maintain a specific societal power position but also how these neo-liberal policies are rather lethal to the lives of millions and millions of individuals, by adulterating and damaging the very concept of a democratic society
Echocardiography in Women: How Are Mars and Venus Different?

Sex is an important determinant of cardiac structure and function. We review key sex differences in universal echocardiographic parameters and discuss the clinical implications of using sex-specific algorithms to increase the diagnostic accuracy of echocardiography and improve the timely treatment of common cardiovascular disorders, and the unique role of echocardiography in pregnancy and the evaluation of ischemic heart disease. Emerging echocardiographic findings have begun to define important sex-based differences in chamber size and ventricular function. We advocate for additional research and the consideration of sex-specific algorithms in future expert consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of valvular heart disease, heart failure, and thoracic aortic disease. Echocardiography is an essential diagnostic tool in our armamentarium of imaging modalities for the sex-specific diagnosis and guidance of treatment for a broad spectrum of cardiovascular disorders.
Winding Layout Considerations for an Integrated Generator–Rectifier System

An integrated generator–rectifier system is a promising architecture to harvest energy in offshore wind turbines. The system processes the majority of the incoming power using reliable, efficient, and inexpensive passive diodes operating at the generator line frequency. Elimination of capacitors at the diode rectifiers’ output by appropriately phase shifting the voltages of a multiport generator further improves the reliability of the overall architecture. This article creates a generalized framework to evaluate the interactions among different generator ports, diode-bridge rectifiers, and the active rectifier that is used to control the power flow. The framework enables quantifying the effect of integration on the dc bus power ripple and power imbalance among different generator ports. An exemplary winding layout is proposed that ensures theoretically zero interaction between the passive ports, although all the ports are mounted on a magnetic structure. A 10-MW integrated generator–rectifier design and simulation proves the accuracy of the framework using coupled circuit and finite-element simulation. Finally, a laboratory prototype shows the realization of the winding layout. The proposed inductance-matrix-based framework can be used to evaluate other winding layouts to estimate the effect of magnetic coupling on the performance of the system.
Pathology of the Breast and Female Genital Tract

This chapter presents various diseases of the female sex organs, including the vulva, vagina, uterus and adnexa (ovary and salpinges), placenta, and breast. Discussed are common diseases, including congenital abnormalities, infection and inflammation, diseases related to endocrine disorders and to pregnancy, and both benign and malignant tumors.
Bleeding as an initial sign of carcinoma of the tonsil. Report of a case.

Abstract Oral bleeding is rarely the initial sign or presenting symptom in cancer of the tonsil. Persistent and repeated oral bleeding demands thorough visual and digital examination of the aerodigestive tract. A case of cancer of the tonsil in which the initial sign was oral bleeding is described. The prognosis for cancer of the tonsil localized to the tonsil is good when wide excision of the tonsillar area is accomplished.
Reflections on the Views of William Hughes

(1979). Reflections on the Views of William Hughes. Journal of Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 50, No. 7, pp. 37-40.
Hello, worlds: an introduction to mobile application development for IOS and Android

The popularity and proliferation of mobile applications is undeniable, and the tools are available for undergraduates to explore mobile application development within the curriculum. In a sense, mobile application development is like any other kind of software development: there are platform-specific languages, tools, and constraints that one must learn in order to create high-quality products. This tutorial is designed to help instructors make that important first step into mobile application development. The presenters will demonstrate all of the required steps to configure a development environment, including operating system, integrated development environment, and mobile device. We will show iOS configuration for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch platforms as well as Eclipse configuration for Android development. Following the demonstrations, we will lead a roundtable discussion of the pros and cons of the two platforms, focusing specifically on their integration with the undergraduate Computer Science learning experience.
The Modification of Child Behavior Problems in the Home

The problems created by children’s troublesome behavior at home constitute one of the most serious sources of difficulty in our society. Children’s problems may lead to dissatisfaction, to distress, or even to violence (Bell, 1979) among family members. Since its inception, the field of behavior modification has addressed children’s home-based behavioral problems. Many problem areas have been addressed, from temper tantrums and other noxious social behaviors, to health-related behaviors, social skills, and many others. As the scope of the problems addressed broadens, new and effective treatment methods are being developed and research methodology is becoming more precise.
Figure-ground image segmentation helps weakly-supervised learning of objects

Given a collection of images containing a common object, we seek to learn a model for the object without the use of bounding boxes or segmentation masks. In linguistics, a single document provides no information about location of the topics it contains. On the contrary, an image has a lot to tell us about where foreground and background topics lie. Extensive literature on modelling bottom-up saliency and pop-out aims at predicting eye fixations and allocation of visual attention in a single image, prior to any recognition of content.Most salient image parts are likely to capture image foreground. We propose a novel probabilistic model, shape and figure-ground aware model (sFGmodel) that exploits bottom-up image saliency to compute an informative prior on segment topic assignments. Our model exploits both figure-ground organization in each image separately, as well as feature re-occurrence across the image collection. Since we use image dependent topic prior, during model learning we optimize a conditional likelihood of the image collection given the image bottom-up saliency information. Our discriminative framework can tolerate larger intraclass variability of objects with fewer training data. We iterate between bottom-up figure-ground image organization and model parameter learning by accumulating image statistics from the entire image collection. The model learned influences later image figure-ground labelling. We present results of our approach on diverse datasets showing great improvement over generative probabilistic models that do not exploit image saliency, indicating the suitability of our model for weakly-supervised visual organization.
Solar Wind Speed Azimuthal Variation Along the Heliospheric Current Sheet

We report on analysis of the speeds measured by Voyager 1 and 2 while skimming along a horizontal (east-west) portion of the current sheet over several days in 1977. The results demonstrate that in this case speed variations exist and are large enough to significantly deform the sheet within a few AU or less if the current sheet were anything but perfectly horizontal. The spatial scale of the speed variation ranges from the smallest measureable scale using 1 hour averaged data up to tens of degrees in longitude. A deformation example is given under the assumption that the observed velocity variation exists on a current sheet that is initially perpendicular to the heliographic equator.
Snippet based relevance calculations

The purpose of Web Host Access Tool (WHAT) project is to formulate a search based on a user's present needs, and past search results. The tool gathers information from the user, sends out a query to various search engines, ranks the responses, and then presents the results to the user. In the past, it has been assumed information returned by a search tool, such as the WHAT tool, or a search engine, provides enough information to judge the relevance of a web page. Katie and Lee Ann are partaking in a research project that examines the quality of information returned by a search engine.
A Polycomb and Gaga Dependent Silencer Adjoins the Fab-7 Boundary in the Drosophila Bithorax Complex

The homeotic genes of the Drosophila bithorax complex are controlled by a large cis -regulatory region that ensures their segmentally restricted pattern of expression. A deletion that removes the Frontabdominal-7 cis -regulatory region ( Fab-7 1 ) dominantly transforms parasegment 11 into parasegment 12. Previous studies suggested that removal of a domain boundary element on the proximal side of Fab-7 1 is responsible for this gain-of-function phenotype. In this article we demonstrate that the Fab-7 1 deletion also removes a silencer element, the iab-7 PRE, which maps to a different DNA segment and plays a different role in regulating parasegment-specific expression patterns of the Abd-B gene. The iab-7 PRE mediates pairing-sensitive silencing of mini-white , and can maintain the segmentally restricted expression pattern of a BXD, Ubx/lacZ reporter transgene. Both silencing activities depend upon Polycomb Group proteins. Pairing-sensitive silencing is relieved by removing the transvection protein Zeste, but is enhanced in a novel pairing-independent manner by the zeste 1 allele. The iab-7 PRE silencer is contained within a 0.8-kb fragment that spans a nuclease hypersensitive site, and silencing appears to depend on the chromatin remodeling protein, the GAGA factor.
Cytomegalovirus retinitis successfully treated with ganciclovir implant in a patient with blood ganciclovir resistance and ocular ganciclovir sensitivity

Cytomegalovirus retinitis successfully treated with ganciclovir implant in a patient with blood ganciclovir resistance and ocular ganciclovir sensitivity
Results on existence of smooth Lyapunov functions for (pre-)asymptotically stable hybrid systems with non-open basins of attraction

We show that (pre-)asymptotic stability, which is a natural generalization of asymptotic stability, of a compact set for a hybrid system satisfying mild regularity assumptions is equivalent to the existence of a smooth Lyapunov function. In this new converse Lyapunov theorem for (pre-)asymptotic stability, we no longer require the assumption that the basin of attraction is open (cf. [1, Theorem 1]). Furthermore, we demonstrate several applications of the converse Lyapunov theorem by establishing robustness of pre-asymptotic stability to various types of perturbations and achieving input-to-state stabilization for hybrid-feedback-control systems.
Effects of age, lactation, and repeated cycles on rhesus monkey copulatory intervals.

Young, sexually mature female rhesus monkeys copulate on more days prior to conception than do older females, and this prolonged discrete mating period is associated with an earlier rise in serum estradiol prior to the first ovulation of the breeding season. The influence of repeated ovulatory cycles and the presence of a suckling infant on the copulatory patterns were examined in two separate analyses. Extending previous work, young, nulliparous females copulated on more days at the first ovulation of the breeding season than did older, multiparous females. However, the duration of the copulatory period at the second ovulation of the breeding season was similar and significantly shorter for both age groups. Furthermore, the presence of a suckling infant did not influence the duration of the mating periods in adult, multiparous females. The onset of copulatory behavior for all females was associated with serum estradiol concentrations of approximately 90 pg/ml, indicating that the age and cycle differences in the duration of the copulatory periods are due to the time course of serum estradiol prior to ovulation. A separate, longitudinal analysis of the duration of the mating period associated with the first ovulation of three successive breeding seasons indicated that females copulated on more days during their first ovulatory cycle of their first breeding season. These data indicate that the copulatory interval is longer for females during the first ovulation of the breeding season, and this pattern is accentuated in young, sexually mature animals.
A study of precipitation in interstitial alloys--I. Precipitation sequence in Ta-C alloys

Abstract A systematic transmission electron microscopy study of carbide precipitation in quenchedaged tantalum-carbon alloys has clarified the mechanism of precipitation in refractory b.c.c. metalcarbon alloys. Diffraction contrast analysis shows that the precipitate platelets lie on {310} planes of the matrix, are interstitial in nature, and fully coherent before they thicken further and lose coherency. The precipitation sequence is continuous and involves no re-nucleation during the formation of the noncoherent phase. Thus, the final orientation relationship of the precipitate with the matrix already is found at the earliest stage at which it is possible to detect it. The interpretation of the results indicates that, as in f.c.c. alloys, vacancies play an important role in the precipitation process during the nucleation and early growth stages and permit the formation of the hexagonal equilibrium M2C structure early in the sequence. The model proposed to explain the observations is also consistent with the multistage hardening observed in quenched-aged refractory metal interstitial alloys.
Bioassay methods for evaluating the toxicity of heavy metals, biocides and sewage effluent using microscopic stages of giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera (Agardh): A preliminary report

Abstract Methods for using early life stages of giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera in toxicity tests intended for evaluating the toxicity of municipal sewage effluents are given. Included are methods for both a short-term (48-h) toxicity test, and a long-term (16-day) toxicity test. Preliminary results of experiments with zinc sulfate, sodium pentachlorophenate, and a primary-treated sewage effluent showed that early life stages of Macrocystis have a variable sensitivity to these toxicants. No Observed Effect Concentrations (NOECs) for effects of zinc sulfate on germination of Macrocystis zoospores ranged from 1730 μg/liter to 5500 μg/liter in 3 separate 48-h experiments. The NOECs for zinc effects on the growth of Macrocystis zoospore germination tubes ranged from 550 to 1090 μg/liter in three 48-h experiments. The NOEC for zinc effects on sporophyte production by Macrocystis was 1070 μg/liter in a 16-day experiment. The fungicide and herbicide sodium pentachlorophenate significantly inhibited Macrocystis zoospore germination, and gametophyte reproduction at concentrations of 32 μg/liter and greater (NOEC Macrocystis pyrifera are amenable to evaluating the toxicity of a variety of toxicants, including sewage effluents, and that Macrocystis has a variable sensitivity to toxicants depending on the nature of the toxicant and the endpoint being tested.
The potential role of NADPH and cytoplasmic NADP-linked dehydrogenases in protection against singlet oxygen mediated cellular toxicity

NADPH is known to react efficiently with singlet oxygen, the predominant oxidation product being enzymatically active NADP + . It is suggested that this reaction acting in concert with the cytoplasmic NADPH regenerating enzymes may contribute to the protection of cytoplasmic components against singlet oxygen mediated toxicity. NADP-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase is shown to be inactivated by singlet oxygen photochemically generated with hematoporphyrin. When NADPH is present during photooxidation, the enzyme is protected from complete inactivation and regenerates the factor (NADPH) responsible for its own protection.
Regulation of differentiation by TFG-β

Recent experiments in neural, skeletal, endothelial, and hematopoietic tissues have provided new insights into the way members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily regulate cellular differentiation. TGF-βs regulate the fate of multipotential stem cells instructively (in the neural crest) by regulating the expression or function of tissue-specific transcription factors, as well as selectively (in the mesenchyme) by regulating the expression of required growth factors and their receptors. During skeletal development, TGF-βs have unique functions and act sequentially to modulate chondrocyte and osteoblast differentiation. Responsiveness to TGF-βs changes as cells differentiate and evidence now suggests that changes in TGF-β receptor profile may account for some of these differences. Drosophila and transgenic mouse models are now providing useful insights into mechanisms of TGF-β action in vivo.
Thrombospondin 2, a matricellular protein with diverse functions.

Thrombospondin (TSP) 2 is a close relative of TSP1 but differs in its temporal and spatial distribution in the mouse. This difference in expression undoubtedly reflects the marked disparity in the DNA sequences of the promoters in the genes encoding the two proteins. The synthesis of TSP2 occurs primarily in connective tissues of the developing and growing mouse. In the adult animal the protein is again produced in response to tissue injury and in association with the growth of tumors. Despite the abnormalities in collagen fibrillogenesis, fragility of skin, and laxity of tendons and ligaments observed in the TSP2-null mouse, TSP2 does not appear to contribute directly to the structural integrity of connective tissue elements. Instead, emerging evidence supports a mode of action of TSP2 'at a distance', i.e. by modulating the activity and bioavailability of proteases and growth factors in the pericellular environment and, very likely, by interaction with cell-surface receptors. Thus, TSP2 qualifies as a matricellular protein, as defined in the introduction to this minireview series. The phenotype of TSP2-null mice has been very helpful in providing clues to the functions of TSP2. In addition to histological and functional abnormalities in connective tissues, these mice display an increased vascularity of the dermis and subdermal tissues, increased endosteal bone growth, a bleeding defect, and a marked adhesive defect of dermal fibroblasts. Our laboratory has established that TSP2 binds matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and that the adhesive defect in TSP2-null fibroblasts results from increased MMP2 activity. The investigation of the basis for the other defects in the TSP2-null mouse is likely to yield equally interesting results.
An investigation of the thermal decomposition of gold acetate

The thermal decomposition characteristics of gold acetate to produce gold nanoparticles were investigated. A rapid and violent fragmentation of the gold acetate particles was observed at approximately 103±20°C when a rapid heating rate of 25°C min−1 was used, leading to formation of nanosized spherical and partially coalesced gold particles. Particle size analysis was used to investigate possible relationships between the gold acetate crystallite size and the gold nanoparticles produced by thermal decomposition. The results indicate rapid (<0.14 ms) coalescence of the gold particles occurs for fragments in close proximity.
Combined obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and double outlet right ventricle in an infant with Down syndrome.

PATIENT Male, 2 FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Symptoms: Congestive heart failure Medication: - Clinical Procedure: Left ventricular septal myectomy • repair of congenital heart disease Specialty: Cardiology. OBJECTIVE Rare disease. BACKGROUND Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is uncommon in Down syndrome (DS). When combined with congenital heart disease (CHD) both morbidity and mortality may be greater compared to CHD alone. Whether HCM in DS patients is related to having trisomy 21 versus a second site mutation is unknown. CASE REPORT We report a case of severe HCM in an infant with DS in combination with double outlet right ventricle (DORV) who required surgery for relive of sub-aortic obstruction and congestive heart failure. We predicted that this infant would have a second site mutation involving either a sarcomeric protein or metabolic disorder as a cause for his HCM. Using current genetic and metabolic testing as well as histologic assessment of excised cardiac tissue we sought to further characterize the nature of the HCM. A successful resection of sub-aortic stenosis and DORV repair was performed. Genetic and metabolic testing was negative for gene defects and/or syndromes commonly associated with familial HCM. Excised cardiac tissue from the ventricular septum exhibited myocyte hypertrophy and sub-endocardial fibrosis but no sarcomeric disarray, myocyte fibrosis or glycogen storage. Metabolic testing for common forms of mitochondrial disease was negative. Post-operative echocardiograms show persistent, non-obstructive septal hypertrophy. CONCLUSIONS Unlike prior reports, this child required a surgical intervention to relieve his sub-aortic obstruction. Thus, HCM in this population can be more serious that previously suspected. Although testing did not reveal the cause of his HCM, we still suggest screening for known causes of HSC until the etiology of the HCM in DS is well understood.
The Changing Price Dimension in Purchasing

The performance of the industrial purchasing department must be reconsidered and re‐evaluated in the light of the recent importance found in quality orientation, persistent economic uncertainty, supply shortages and expected service commitment. There is a need to determine feasible price‐service options. The price objectives of suppliers now include impact on organisational image, and the effects of prices charged on investment, market share and profit maximisation. Pricing tactics, rather than other cost‐related concerns, are used to gain market share, so industrial buyers need to be aware of suppliers' strategies, and must also assess service levels and performance quality. This examination of the factors in purchasing strategy suggests that it must be capable of reaching to a complex environment.Both buyer and seller must re‐think (a) the value the buyer places in the product, (b) the costs incurred and (c) the price structure and behaviour of competitors.
Three-dimensional optimum nonlinear filter for detecting distorted target location and distance

Laser radar (LADAR) is a device to acquire the profile of an object. A 3D LADAR range image is encoded as a 2D image whose gray values represent the measured range. It is possible to apply 2D filters for recognition of 2D encoded range image to detect the location of a target. However, if we want to detect the target coordinate within the input scene, that is not only the location of a target but also the distance from a sensor, 3D data processing is needed. First, it is needed to convert 2D range image back into 3D space, and then apply a 3D filtering technique to detect the target location and the distance from the sensor. We set up and solve the minimization problem that leads to the derivation of the 3D distortion tolerant nonlinear filter by minimizing the output energy due to the additive noise and the energy of correlation output in response to the input scene with the false objects. This filter also has a capability to reject a certain target if we know exactly what to reject. The correlation output at the distance level of the target shows a dominant peak at the target location, and the correlation outputs at the distance of the adjacent target level shows a very small peak at the target location. We can detect the location and the distance at the same time of the distorted target using proposed 3D optimum filtering.
Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) Vector Competence for the Citrus Greening Pathogen ‘Candidatus Liberibacter Asiaticus’

Characterizing the vector competence of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama for 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus,' the pathogen causing citrus greening, is essential for understanding the epidemiology of this disease that is threatening the U.S. citrus industry. Vector competence studies have been difficult because of the biology of D. citri, the inability to culture the pathogen, and the available diagnostic methods used to detect the bacteria in plant and insect tissues. The methods employed in many studies of D. citri vector competence may have overestimated amounts of live 'Ca. L. asiaticus' in both plant and insect tissues, and it is possible that the amounts of phloem ingested by psyllids may not contain sufficient detectable pathogen using current diagnostic methods. As a result of the difficulty in characterizing D. citri vector competence, the several daunting challenges for providing D. citri that are unable to inoculate 'Ca. L. asiaticus', as a novel method to control greening are discussed. Suggestions to overcome some of these challenges are provided.
Accidental hypothermia: a survivor of 12 episodes.

Abstract Accidental hypothermia is defined as an environmentally induced reduction of the core body temperature to 35 °C or below, where there is no primary endocrine or preoptic anterior hypothalmic dysfunction. We report a survivor of 12 episodes of accidental hypothermia. A comparison of his rewarming rates with passive external versus active core rewarming by inhalation of heated humidified oxygen via nasotracheal tube is provided. Multiple predisposing factors contributed to the repeated episodes of hypothermia. Anatomic causes of repeated nonaccidental hypothermia were excluded.
Device closure of atrial septal defects with the Amplatzer septal occluder: Safety and outcome in infants

Objective Device closure of secundum atrial septal defects is sometimes needed in young children; however, little is known about the safety and outcome of this procedure in infants. In this study, the safety and efficacy of secundum atrial septal defect closure with the Amplatzer septal occluder (AGA Medical Corp, Golden Valley, Minn) was evaluated in patients less than 1 year of age. Methods Between July 1999 and September 2006, atrial septal defect closure with the Amplatzer septal occluder was attempted in 15 infants at our institution. The patients ranged in age from 0.5 to 11.9 months (mean ± standard deviation; 8.2 ± 3.7 months) in the percutaneous group and from 2.2 to 3.4 months (2.9 ± 0.6 months) in the peratrial group. Their weights ranged from 3.8 to 8.3 kg (5.5 ± 1.7 kg) and from 3.0 to 4.0 kg (3.4 ± 0.6 kg) in each group, respectively. The indications for atrial septal defect closure were failure to thrive, significant chamber enlargement, hemodynamically significant shunts, and prehepatic transplantation. The size of the defect as measured by intracardiac echocardiography (n = 3) or transesophageal echocardiography (n = 12) ranged from 2.0 to 16 mm (8.0 ± 4.4 mm). Results The pulmonary/systemic flow ratio ranged from 1.0 to 9.0 (2.8 ± 2.0).The device was successfully placed in 14 of 15 infants. The size of the Amplatzer septal occluder device implanted ranged from 4 to 20 mm (10.1 ± 4.3 mm). It was percutaneously deployed in 11 of 14 patients and by the hybrid or peratrial approach (open chest off-pump) in 3 of 14 infants. In infants who had a successful attempt (n = 14), the complete closure rates at 24 hours and 1 year were 86% and 100%, respectively. In 3 of 15 infants, minor complications occurred: transient arrhythmias (n = 2) and blood transfusion (n = 1). One patient had a major complication (vascular intimal injury with thrombosis of the inferior vena cava). One patient with Down syndrome died 6 weeks later of progressive pulmonary hypertension. The follow-up time ranged from 0.6 to 6.9 years (3.2 ± 1.9 years). At follow-up, clinical development and growth improved in all children with failure to thrive, and all ventilator-dependent children could be weaned shortly after closure of the atrial septal defect. Conclusion Device closure of atrial septal defects is an effective and fairly safe alternative to surgery in infants. Hybrid or peratrial closure is also an alternative to percutaneous closure in the very small infant.
Partial purification and characterization of methyl-p-hydroxyphenyllactate esterase in rat uterine cytosol.

Previous studies from this laboratory have shown that methyl-p-hydroxyphenyllactate (MeHPLA) is a bioflavonoid and/or tyrosine metabolite that inhibits both normal and malignant cell proliferation, presumably, by association with nuclear type II [3H]estradiol binding sites. Conversely, the corresponding free acid, phydroxyphenyllactate (HPLA) possesses little, if any, cell regulatory activity. Therefore, factors that control the relative concentrations of MeHPLA and HPLA in normal or malignant mammalian tissues may also influence the rate of cellular proliferation. The experiments in this manuscript describe the characterization and purification of MeHPLA esterase from the rat uterus. These studies demonstrate that MeHPLA esterase activity is relatively homogeneous, eluting as a single peak during DEAE ion exchange chromatography and phenyl agarose hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Affi-gel Blue (Cibacron Blue F3GA) affinity chromatography resulted in a significant purification (approx. 300-fold) of the MeHPLA esterase activity, and a combination of these chromatographic steps resulted in a significant purification (>4300-fold) of this protein. Further analysis of these esterase preparations on nondenaturing agarose gels allowed us to visualize bands of esterase activity. These studies localized one major low-mobility band of esterase activity in rat uterine cytosol preparations, which was increased by estradiol treatment. Furthermore, estrogen induction of MeHPLA esterase in the rat uterus was completely blocked (p < .01) by luteolin, although this bioflavonoid did not affect esterase activity in cytosol preparations from nonestrogenized rats. These results confirm our earlier studies demonstrating that MeHPLA hydrolysis is under estrogen regulation and that bioflavonoids antagonize estrogen action through pathways involving type II site induction and/or the regulation of MeHPLA hydrolysis in normal and malignant cells.
Reverse genetics in the tide pool: knock‐down of target gene expression via RNA interference in the copepod Tigriopus californicus

Reverse genetic tools are essential for characterizing phenotypes of novel genes and testing functional hypotheses generated from next-generation sequencing studies. RNA interference (RNAi) has been a widely used technique for describing or quantifying physiological, developmental or behavioural roles of target genes by suppressing their expression. The marine intertidal copepod Tigriopus californicus has become an emerging model for evolutionary and physiological studies, but this species is not amenable to most genetic manipulation approaches. As crustaceans are susceptible to RNAi-mediated gene knock-down, we developed a simple method for delivery of gene-specific double-stranded RNA that results in significant suppression of target gene transcription levels. The protocol was examined on five genes of interest, and for each, at least 50% knock-down in expression was achieved. While knock-down levels did not reach 100% in any trial, a well-controlled experiment with one heat-shock gene showed unambiguously that such partial gene suppression may cause dramatic changes in phenotype. Copepods with suppressed expression of heat-shock protein beta 1 (hspb1) exhibited dramatically decreased tolerance to high temperatures, validating the importance of this gene during thermal stress, as proposed by a previous study. The application of this RNAi protocol in T. californicus will be invaluable for examining the role of genes putatively involved in reproductive isolation, mitochondrial function and local adaptation.
Costs and effectiveness of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition in patients with congestive heart failure

Background: Chronic heart failure is associated with a poor prognosis and reduced survival rates. The addition of vasodilator drug therapy to conventional therapy for congestive heart failure has resulted in improved survival. Methods: Adopting a societal viewpoint, we designed a decision analytic model to analyze the costs and effectiveness of three therapies available for the treatment of congestive heart failure: standard therapy (digoxin and diuretic therapy) plus (1) no vasodilator agents, (2) hydralazine hydrochloride—isosorbide dinitrate combination, and (3) enalapril. In addition, we performed sensitivity analyses to determine which model variables were influential in determining incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (cost of drug, cost of hospitalization, efficacy of agents, etc). We used data from three major randomized controlled trials to estimate treatment efficacy, mortality rates, and hospitalization rates. Results: An additional year of life gained by a patient receiving hydralazine-isosorbide combination therapy compared with standard therapy required an additional expense (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio) of $5600. Compared with the hydralazine-isosorbide combination therapy, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for enalapril therapy was $9700 per year of life saved. These results were insensitive to wide variations in our baseline assumptions. Conclusions: The cost per year of life saved by vasodilator therapy is much lower than that of other accepted medical therapies. Although the cost per year of life saved for hydralazine-isosorbide combination therapy is lower than that for enalapril therapy, enalapril therapy saves more lives, and the incremental cost of enalapril therapy is justified by the added benefits. (Arch Intern Med. 1994;154:1143-1149)
Origin of extragonadal teratomas and endodermal sinus tumours

TERATOMAS are usually differentiated tumours, containing tissues derived from ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm, and may arise in the gonads or elsewhere. Benign ovarian teratomas are parthenogenetic tumours derived from a single germ cell after the first division of meiosis, as studies of chromosome markers and enzyme variants have shown1,2. We have now found that extragonadal teratomas develop in a different manner. We have examined single gene products and chromosomes in extragonadal teratomas and report here our results. We include data on endodermal sinus tumours because of their similarity to teratomas3,4.
Comparison of proteins synthesized by anterior and posterior regions of Dictyostelium discoideum pseudoplasmodia

Abstract In migrating pseudoplasmodia of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum , cells in approximately the anterior quarter of the structure give rise to stalk cells, while the remainder produce spore cells. Certain biochemical and structural components have been found to differ between cells occupying these two positions, indicating that some differentiation has already occurred by this stage. To evaluate the degree of this differentiation we have compared the proteins being synthesized in different regions of the pseudoplasmodia. Migrating pseudoplasmodia were labeled with [ 35 S]methionine and cut into five segments, and the labeled proteins were resolved by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and visualized by autofluorography. Of 500 polypeptides detected, 57 showed regional variations in labeling. Nearly all of these differences in labeling occurred between the anterior fifth and posterior four-fifths of the pseudoplasmodia, indicating that by this stage a marked degree of differentiation has occurred between the two cell types.
Rates of sediment reworking at the HEBBLE site based on measurements of Th-234, Cs-137 and Pb-210

Abstract Th-234, Cs-137 and Pb-210 measurements have been made on ten cores from the HEBBLE site on the Nova Scotian continental rise. Th-234 mixing coefficients from HEBBLE sediments show substantial lateral variability with values ranging from 1 to 33 cm 2 yr −1 . These mixing coefficients are one to two orders of magnitude greater than values from typical continental-rise and abyssal sediments because of high densities of benthic macrofauna. Th-234 data from HEBBLE cores indicate that particles at the sediment—water interface are mixed to depths of 1–5 cm on a 100-day time scale. Cs-137 and Pb-210 data indicate that on time scales of 30–100 yrs surface sediments are reworked to depths ranging from 1 to 12 cm. Based on Th-234 profiles from two HEBBLE cores collected less than 200 m apart during consecutive years, no temporal variability in mixing rate could be resolved. In some HEBBLE sediments there is good agreement between the Th-234 mixing coefficient (100-day time scale) and the Pb-210 mixing coefficient (100-yr time scale). In other HEBBLE cores, however, Th-234 data indicate that the Pb-210 profile has not reached steady state. If steady-state solutions are used to model these non-steady-state profiles, the calculated Pb-210 mixing coefficient may underestimate the true mixing coefficient by as much as an order of magnitude.
Time-Domain Methods for Diffusive Transport in Soft Matter

Passive microrheology [T. G. Mason and D. A. Weitz, Phys. Rev. Lett., 74 (1995), pp. 1250–1253] utilizes measurements of noisy, entropic fluctuations (i.e., diffusive properties) of micron-scale spheres in soft matter to infer bulk frequency-dependent loss and storage moduli. Here, we are concerned exclusively with diffusion of Brownian particles in viscoelastic media, for which the Mason–Weitz theoretical-experimental protocol is ideal and the more challenging inference of bulk viscoelastic moduli is decoupled. The diffusive theory begins with a generalized Langevin equation (GLE) with a memory drag law specified by a kernel. We start with a discrete formulation of the GLE as an autoregressive stochastic process governing microbead paths measured by particle tracking. For the inverse problem (recovery of the memory kernel from experimental data) we apply time series analysis (maximum likelihood estimators via the Kalman filter) directly to bead position data, an alternative to formulas based on mean-squa...
Gold versus platinum: Do jurors recognize the superiority and limitations of DNA evidence compared to other types of forensic evidence?

In a series of studies, the authors examined (a) public perceptions concerning forensic scientific evidence, (b) the relative influence attributed to DNA evidence compared to other forms of forensic identification evidence, and (c) the impact of cross-examination addressing the limitations of DNA testimony. In Studies 1 and 2, both undergraduate students and representative jurors rated DNA as the most accurate and persuasive type of evidence compared to other types of forensic evidence. This finding was consistent across samples of individuals with varied exposure to media coverage of scientific evidence. Experimental results further revealed the strong influence of DNA evidence in verdict decisions regardless of the type of crime or whether the evidence was incriminating or exculpatory. In Studies 2 and 3, DNA-based expert testimony demonstrated strong effects on juror decision-making even after cross-examination. These effects were mitigated to some extent in Study 3, however, by the interaction of the reliability of DNA evidence and the focus of cross-examination. The implications regarding the use of DNA and other scientific evidence for public policy and practice in legal decisions are discussed.
W. E. B. Du Bois, Howard W. Odum and the Sociological Ghetto

The sociology of the South, as a substantive area research interest, emerged during the 1800s as a means to rationalize and preserve the cultural norms of slavery era whites who would soon experience seismic social shocks including the Civil War and emancipation of enslaved blacks. The person singularly cited as the architect of this area of study is Howard W. Odum. Although Odum is identified as the person most responsible for the development of this field, archival data indicate that W. E. B. Du Bois and the men and women of the Atlanta Sociological Laboratory were its first practitioners. In this paper evidence is offered to show that Du Bois's Atlanta University efforts predated Odum's North Carolina research program. Additionally, an explanation for Du Bois's marginalization in the existing sociology of the South literature is offered.
Urine Leakage Detection

Objective urine leakage data are difficult to obtain from the incontinent patient. A system based on the hygroscopic nature of lithium chloride (LiCI) is described, which detects dropwise quantities of water and helps assess the effectiveness of anti-incontinence management programs.