cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of matrix elements of the 8×8 k ⋅ p Hamiltonian with k -dependent spin-orbit contributions for the zinc-blende structure of GaAs

The k\ensuremath{\cdot}p method of band-structure calculation provides a detailed description of a crystal's energy dispersion near a high symmetry point in the first Brillouin zone. The resulting parameters of this calculation are a series of momentum matrix elements. Presented here is a set of band-structure parameters for the zinc-blende structure of GaAs at the \ensuremath{\Gamma} point that takes the lack of inversion symmetry into account as well as k-dependent spin-orbit contributions to the Hamiltonian. A comprehensive optimization was performed in order to satisfy effective mass data as well as conduction band spin-splitting data. It was found that the lack of inversion symmetry has a profound influence on the nonparabolicity of the conduction band and the contribution of the k-dependent spin-orbit effect cannot be ignored in the calculation of the effective mass of the conduction, light hole, and spin-orbit bands. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Colonization with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in solid organ transplantation: A meta-analysis and review

Background Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) may cause severe infections, often preceded by ESBL-E gastrointestinal (GI) colonization. Methods We conducted a review of the literature, investigating the prevalence of ESBL-E GI colonization in solid organ transplant (SOT) patients and the risk for subsequent ESBL-E infection. We searched the PubMed and EMBASE databases (to April 1, 2016) looking for studies that contained data on ESBL-E colonization among transplant patients. Results Out of 341 non-duplicate citations, 4 studies reporting data on 1089 patients fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Among them, the pooled prevalence for ESBL-E colonization was 18% (95% confidence interval [CI] 5%-36%). Stratifying by transplant type, we identified an ESBL-E colonization rate of 17% (95% CI 3%-39%) among liver transplant recipients and 24% (single report) among kidney transplant recipients. Conclusions Among SOT patients, approximately 1 in 5 patients is colonized with ESBL-E, although this finding may be skewed by reporting bias from centers with high ESBL-E prevalence. ESBL-E screening in SOT patients should be considered and evaluated in future studies. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
CHAPTER 188 – Dendritic Protein Phosphatase Complexes

There is compelling evidence that multiprotein complexes containing PP1 and calcineurin are critical for synaptic regulation, but specific roles of their molecular components still need to be determined. Roles for other serine/threonine and tyrosine phosphatases are also likely to be better described. Apparently contradictory data in the cited literature may be due to cell-specific issues related to differences in cellular functions, prior synaptic activity or developmental stage analyzed, and variations in experimental conditions. The challenge is to carefully control all the variables and use emerging animal models and specific molecular tools to more precisely understand the roles of these phosphatase complexes in synaptic regulation.
HIV-1 Transcription Inhibitors Increase the Synthesis of Viral Non-Coding RNA that Contribute to Latency

Background HIV-1 can be preserved in long-lived resting CD4+ T- and myeloid cells, forming a viral reservoir in tissues of the infected individuals. Infected patients primarily receive cART, which, to date, is the most efficient treatment against HIV/AIDS. However, the major problem in the eradication of HIV-1 from patients is the lack of therapeutic approaches to recognize the latent HIV-1 provirus and to eliminate latently infected cells. Results In the current review, we describe the effect of HIV-1 transcriptional inhibitors CR8#13 and F07#13 using a series of in vitro and in vivo assays. We found that both of these compounds regulate p-TEFb in infected cells, and terminate transcription at two sites, either at the LTR or early gag regions. The resulting short transcripts are termed TAR and TAR-gag, respectively. These nascent RNAs are capable of binding to SWI/SNF components, including mSin3A/HDAC-1 complex and potentially serve as a scaffolding RNA. Both TAR and TAR-gag are detected as large complexes from treated infected cells when using chromatography. Both transcripts are non-coding in T-cells and monocytes, and potentially recruit suppressive factors along with RNAbinding proteins to the DNA resulting in Transcriptional Gene Silencing (TGS). Finally, these compounds suppress activated virus when using a latent humanized mouse model. Conclusion Collectively, these data implicate transcription inhibitors as regulators of the viral promoter through short non-coding RNAs and chromatin remodeling factors. These RNAs give specificity toward either viral DNA and/or nascent mRNA when functioning as TGS.
Multiple dens evaginatus: diagnosis, management, and complications: case report

Dens evaginatus is a disturbance in tooth formation that appears clinically as an accessory occlusal tuberculated cusp composed of enamel and dentin, usually enclosing pulp tissue. The tubercle often fractures or is worn away, with subsequent pulp exposure leading to pulpal inflammation, necrosis, and periapical inflammation. When this happens to an immature tooth, diagnosis may be complicated by the similarity in radiographic appearance of the periapical lesion and the dental follicle. The management of such teeth may be complicated because of their immaturity. A case report of multiple abraded dens evaginatus with pulp necrosis is presented that illustrates 1) the difficulty of diagnosing otherwise apparently healthy teeth associated with periapical lesions and sinus tracts, and 2) their management and treatment complications including recurrent infections and root fractures.
Stationary Distributions of a Markov Chain

What is in this chapter? Let X n be the state of a Markov chain at time n. Assume that X0, the initial state of the chain, is distributed according to a distribution π. That is, assume that the probability that X0 is in state i is π(i). Can we find a distribution π such that if X0 has distribution π then X n , for all times n, also has distribution π? Such a distribution is said to be stationary for the chain. This chapter deals with the existence of and the convergence to stationary distributions.
Topotecan, a topoisomerase I inhibitor, is active in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia

The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of topotecan in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). Forty-seven patients with a diagnosis of MDS (n = 22) or CMML (n = 25) were treated. The median age was 66 years. Chromosomal abnormalities were present in 70% and thrombocytopenia less than 50 x 10(3)/microL in 51%. Evaluation of outcome and of differences among subgroups was performed according to standard methods; the criteria for response were those used for acute leukemia. Topotecan was administered as 2 mg/ m2 by continuous infusion over 24 hours daily for 5 days (10 mg/m2 per course) every 3 to 4 weeks until remission, then once every month for a maximum of 12 courses. Thirteen patients (28%) achieved a complete response (CR) and six (13%) had hematologic improvement. A CR was achieved in six of 22 patients with MDS (27%) and in seven of 25 with CMML (28%). All eight patients who presented with cytogenetic abnormalities (five chromosome 5 or 7 abnormalities) who achieved CR were cytogenetically normal in CR. Characteristics for which there was evidence of association with a higher response rate were lack of prior chemotherapy, less than 10% marrow monocytes, and absence of RAS oncogene mutations. In contrast, CR rates were similar in patients with or without abnormal karyotypes. Mucositis occurred in 64% of patients (severe in 19%) and diarrhea in 32% (severe in 13%). Febrile episodes occurred in 85% of patients and documented infections in 47%. With a median follow-up duration of 8 months, the 12-month survival rate was 38%, median survival time 10.5 months, and median remission duration 7.5 months. We conclude that topotecan has significant activity in MDS and CMML, with acceptable side effects. Future studies will investigate topotecan combined with topoisomerase II reactive agents, cytarabine, or hypomethylating agents (azacytidine and decitabine).
The Interferon System in Encephalomyocarditis (EMC) Virus-Induced Diabetes Mellitus

Two closely related plaque variants selected from the M-strain of encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus differ in their ability to cause murine diabetes mellitus. EMC-D infection causes diabetes in susceptible strains of mice while EMC-B does not cause diabetes but EMC-B interferes with the production of diabetes by the D variant. These characteristics are due to the greater ability of EMC-B to induce interferon in mice compared to EMC-D. Concomitantly, EMC-B is more sensitive to the action of exogenous interferon because local interferon production is amplified in interferon-primed cells infected with EMC-B. These properties are determined by the interferon inducing particle (ifp) phenotype of the variants. EMC-B is phenotypically ifp+ whereas EMC-D is ifp-. The ifp phenotype is a critical factor in determining the outcome of infections with the B and D variants of EMC virus.
A 9-Point Risk Assessment for Patients Who Inject Drugs and Require Intravenous Antibiotics: Focusing Inpatient Resources on Patients at Greatest Risk of Ongoing Drug Use

A 9-point risk assessment identified persons with a history of injection drug use who were safe for discharge. "Low-risk" patients were discharged with outpatient antibiotics; others continued inpatient treatment. Use of the assessment reduced the mean length of stay by 20 days and total direct cost by 33%, creating capacity for an additional 333 patients.
Trends in Heart failure Hospitalization, In-hospital Mortality, Length of Stay and Disposition, Among ESRD patients on Dialysis (2001-2014)

Background Cardiovascular diseases and specifically Heart failure (HF) is a common cause for morbidity and mortality among end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on dialysis. We aimed to assess trends and outcomes in primary HF hospitalizations among ESRD patients utilizing a nationally representative database. Methods We utilized data from the National Inpatient Sample and the US Census Bureau to calculate annual national rates of primary HF admissions, in-hospital mortality, length of stay and disposition among patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) on dialysis for years 2001 to 2014. Results An estimated 812,090 primary HF admissions occurred during the study period. Rates of admissions increased from 2001 to 2006 and decrease from 2007 to 2014 (Figure). We found a significant decline of in-hospital mortality with annual percentage change of -3.1% (p Conclusion Among ESRD patients on dialysis hospitalized for HF, in-hospital mortality and length of stay decreased significantly from 2001 to 2014.
Abstract TP581: Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Women With Brain Arteriovenous Malformation Rupture During Pregnancy

Background: Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is often the initial presenting symptom for patients with brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVM), which is further complicated in the setting of pregnanc...
Chloride Homeostasis in End Stage Heart Failure and LVAD Recipients

Purpose Abnormal chloride homeostasis is associated with worse survival in patients with chronic heart failure. Maladaptive neurohormonal responses and chronic diuretic use deplete serum chloride levels. However, the prognostic implications of serum chloride levels in LVAD patients is not fully elucidated. Our objective was to determine the effect of pre-LVAD hypochloremia on long term survival in LVAD patients. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of all 166 LVAD implants between January 2011 and June 2018 at a single center. Patients were classified into either [hypochloremia (serum chloride 106mEq/L and one with incomplete data. Median chloride levels were used to assess the impact of LVAD therapy. Unadjusted and adjusted cox models were used to examine for association between hypochloremia and 2-year all-cause mortality . We compared survival between both groups using Kaplan-Meir plot and log-rank statistics. Results Chloride levels in group A normalized over three months and peaked at 24 months with a 7mEq/l rise from baseline. Group B levels remained normal with a marginal 0.5mEq/L rise from baseline at 24 months. No significant association between hypochloremia and survival was found [unadjusted HR= 1.01 (0.62 - 1.64), p=0.98] [adjusted HR= 0.88 (0.53 - 1.44), p=0.60]. Conclusion LVAD therapy normalizes chloride homeostasis via cardio-renal axis and stresses its prognostic value. Survival in the long run may be multi-factorial besides chloride levels alone.
Comparing the Implementation of Two Dust Control Technologies from a Sociotechnical Systems Perspective

A sociotechnical system (STS) creates a framework that allows an examination of how social and technical factors affect organizational outcomes within a specific environmental context. STS has been rigorously studied with a primary research focus addressing worker-technology interactions. Although these interactions are important, the social processes and interactions that occur whenever any technical or environmental change is introduced into the system have been undervalued. If social processes are better understood, mining organizations could efficiently prepare and stabilize for such changes. With this goal in mind, we sought to extend STS theory through applying principles of meta-design to analyze the results of two case study interventions. Specifically, we studied the impact of an unregulated dust control technology (the Helmet-CAM) and a regulated dust control technology (the Continuous Personal Dust Monitor) on factors within an STS including employees’ knowledge of, communication about, and use of technology to mitigate respirable dust sources. The results are presented in a way that first, addresses the overarching principles of meta-design STS including organizational participation, flexibility, and communication and second, examines how technology implementation processes differ when the organization is complying with a formal, higher-level requirement. Results show that a prominent focus on the social factors within an STS framework could help reduce unpredictability on the technical side and may improve communication within the system to help reduce adoption time, especially if and when accompanying a new, formal work process.
Some prompt and delayed effects of x rays on growth of human amnion cells (strain FL) in tissue culture.

Some prompt and delayed effects of single doses of 100-kv x rays on the growth of the established FL strain of human amnion cells in tissue culture were studied. The parameters of growth measured were cell volume, number of cells per culture, and total volume of cells for culture (culture volume). The effects were dependent on x-ray dose. Small changes in the growth rate were observed after 100 r, but sterilization of the culture required 1500 to 2000 r. Growth in cell number was more sensitive to radiation than growth in cell volume; thus irnadiation tended to produce a condition of continued cellular growth accompanied by mitotic inhibition. As a result, the distribution of cell volumes was widened and the entire distribution was shifted toward higher values. Giant cells represented the largest size in the changed distribution. Subcultures from irradiated cultures that had received 100 to 600 r grew out readily. After 1000 r, an exponential growth curve similar to that for unirradiated cultures was obtained aftcr several transfers. The x-ray sensitivity of such 1000 r-recovered cultures was not strikingly different from that of the unirradiated cultures. The unirradiated cultures, however, had a less pronounced latent period. The recovery ofmore » such irradiated cultures involved, inter aiia, the elimination of damaged cells by a process that may be considered analogous to natural selection. The bearing of this phenomenon on the prompt and late effects of x rays in vivo is discussed briefly. (auth)« less
Learning and Information Manipulation: Repeated Hypergames for Cyber-Physical Security

Cyber-physical systems are vulnerable to cyber attacks that can produce serious physical consequences. Our previous work showed how hypergame analysis, an extension of game theory for situations with information asymmetries and player misperceptions, could be applied to control systems subject to deception-based attacks. Here, we build on that research to study a repeated, stochastic context. We consider detection of an attacker attempting to manipulate the control system while remaining undetected. We discuss different monitoring approaches that can be used to do this and define a learning scheme for the defender. In our numerical experiments, we find that the attacker impact and time to detection depend strongly on the cost incurred by the defender in removing an attacker from the system. We also show that the defender learning scheme enforces a strong tradeoff, for the attacker, between remaining undetected, and having an impact on the system.
Audiometric Predictors of Bothersome Tinnitus in a Large Clinical Cohort of Adults With Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Objective To identify demographic and audiometric predictors of bothersome tinnitus within a large clinical cohort. Study design Retrospective chart review. Setting Tertiary care hospital. Patients 51,989 English-speaking patients between 18 and 80 years of age that received initial audiometric evaluations at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary between the years 2000 and 2016. Main outcome measures Patients were categorized according to whether or not tinnitus was the primary reason for their visit. The likelihood of tinnitus as a primary complaint (TPC) was evaluated as a function of age, sex, and audiometric configuration. Patient-reported tinnitus percepts were qualitatively assessed in relation to audiometric configuration. Results Approximately 20% of adults who presented for an initial hearing evaluation reported TPC. The prevalence of TPC increased with advancing age until approximately 50 to 54 years, and then declined thereafter. In general, men were significantly more likely to report TPC than women. TPC was statistically associated with specific audiogram configurations. In particular, TPC was most prevalent for notched and steeply sloping hearing losses, but was relatively uncommon in adults with flat losses. Patients with frequency-restricted threshold shifts often reported tonal tinnitus percepts, while patients with asymmetric configurations tended to report broadband percepts. Conclusions The probability of seeking audiological evaluation for bothersome tinnitus is highest for males, middle-aged patients, and those with notched or high-frequency hearing losses. These findings support the theory that tinnitus arises from sharp discontinuities in peripheral afferent innervation and cochlear amplification, which may induce topographically restricted changes in the central auditory pathway.
Federal Climate Change Legislation and Preemption

After years of inaction, Congress stands on the brink of enacting legislation to regulate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Congress will not be writing this legislation on a completely blank slate, however. Many states have already taken some initial steps to reduce GHG emissions. Congress, therefore, will have to decide whether or not to displace the power of state governments to craft climate change programs that go beyond the scope of federal legislation. This article weighs, in detail, the merits of ceiling preemption versus floor preemption in the context of federal climate change legislation. The article concludes that the case in favor of preserving the authority of state government to enact more protective GHG regulation is compelling. Not only would such an approach continue to afford states an opportunity to address the concerns of their citizens about climate change and its diverse local impacts, but the use of floor preemption would also provide the nation with considerable programmatic and institutional benefits. States could still produce and experiment with innovative ways to minimize the impact of global warming, thus presenting other jurisdictions, including the federal government, with models for possible future application. In addition, the institutional diversity preserved by floor preemption would offer the nation a multiplicity of venues in which policy choices could be explored as well as some protection against the risk of regulatory failure. Ceiling preemption operates in precisely the opposite direction. It actually increases the risk of regulatory failure because all policymaking power is vested in one federal agency - an agency which could grow lethargic, an agency where regulation could be frozen in time. The diversity made possible by the use of floor preemption, therefore, offers real advantages to the nation in contrast to the substantial risks inherent in a unitary federal approach.
Speaking with Frankenstein

This collaborative essay experimentally applies the insights of Mary Shelley's 1818 gothic fantasy Frankenstein to clinical interactions between present-day physicians and the patients they, akin to Shelley's human protagonist, so often seem to bring (back) to life. Because that process is frequently fraught with unspoken elements of ambivalence, disappointment, frustration, and failure, we find in Shelley's speculative fiction less a cautionary tale of overreach than a dynamic parable of the role that the unspoken, the invisible, and the unknown might play in contemporary physician/patient relationships. Playing with that parable, we consider its relevance to four often unacknowledged dynamics that shape physician/patient interaction: commitment to a false binary of life and death; the tyranny of normative aesthetics; shared negative affect; and the ethics of care and care-denial. To "speak with Frankenstein" is, we show, to make space for the otherwise unspeakable. The result is a more complete model of narrative medicine that accommodates to its ideal of open communication and full attention the persistence of what cannot be said, seen, or known--only imagined and approximated.
Organ conformal electronics for cardiac therapeutics

Abstract Conformal electronics are stretchable, flexible electronic devices that can diagnose and treat tissue functions with high spatiotemporal resolution. These devices are comprised of a network of sensors and actuators, which include electrodes, photodiodes, thermocouples, LEDs, pressure transducers, and photovoltaic devices. Conformal electronics can conform to the epicardium or endocardium to multiparametrically monitor and correct cardiac tissue function. Currently in the clinic, many catheter-based technologies and implantable mechanical and electrotherapeutic devices are employed for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure. Conformal electronics offers improved systems for the monitoring and delivery of therapy for cardiac diseases, including piezoelectric energy harvesting and storage systems, 3D multifunctional integumentary membranes, multifunctional balloon catheters, ultrathin injectable multimodal sensors, capacitively-coupled flexible sensing systems, and soft robotic sleeves for mechanical support. Conformal electronics will enable a new generation of devices to transform the current paradigm of cardiac diagnosis and therapy.
Good formal structures for flat meromorphic connections, I: Surfaces

We give a criterion under which one can obtain a good decomposition (in the sense of Malgrange) of a formal flat connection on a complex analytic or algebraic variety of arbitrary dimension. The criterion is stated in terms of the spectral behavior of differential operators and generalizes Robba's construction of the Hukuhara-Levelt-Turrittin decomposition in the one-dimensional case. As an application, we prove the existence of good formal structures for flat meromorphic connections on surfaces after suitable blowing up; this verifies a conjecture of Sabbah and extends a result of Mochizuki for algebraic connections. Our proof uses a finiteness argument on the valuative tree associated to a point on a surface in order to verify the numerical criterion.
Electrochemical Polymer Pen Lithography.

The development of a massively parallel lithographic technique called electrochemical polymer pen lithography is reported. Pyramidal pen arrays, consisting of more than 10 000 hydrogel pens loaded with metal salts, are integrated into a three-electrode cell and used to locally reduce ions at each pen tip. This system enables high-throughput patterning of a variety of metallic inks (e.g., Ni2+ , Pt2+ , Ag+ ) on the nanometer to micrometer length scale. By incorporating a z-direction piezo actuator, the extension length and dwell time can be used to precisely define feature dimensions (210 to 10 µm in width, and up to 900 nm in height, thus far). Furthermore, by controlling the potential and precursor concentrations, more than one element can be simultaneously deposited, creating a new tool for the synthesis of alloy features, such as NiCo, which are relevant for catalysis. Importantly, this methodology enables fine control over feature size and composition in a single pattern, which may make it ultimately useful for rapid, high-throughput combinatorial screening of metallic features.
Deconstructing 5D QED

We discuss periodic compactification and latticization of a 5D $U(1)$ theory with a Dirac fermion, yielding a $1+3$ effective theory. We address subtleties in the lattice fermionic action, such as fermion doubling and the Wilson term. We compute the Coleman-Weinberg potential for the Wilson line which is finite for N-branes $g~3,$ due to the ${Z}_{N}$ symmetry, which replaces translations in the $5\mathrm{th}$ dimension. This mode becomes a PNGB in the low energy $1+3$ theory. We derive its anomalous coupling to the ``photon'' and its KK modes.
Leveraging Undergraduate Expertise to Create Innovative Learning Objects: A Mentorship-Learning Model from the Honors College's Research, Technology, and Online Community Project

The Honors College's Research, Technology, and Online Community (RTOC) project was an OSCAR-funded initiative designed to leverage undergraduate expertise to improve the way that we teach students about the research process. The project aimed to provide a meaningful learning experience to our paid and volunteer student participants by inviting them to collaboratively develop high-quality Open Educational Resources (OERs) based on the HNRS 110 course, but intended these resources to be relevant to a broader student audience. The norms of the HNRS 110 community were conducive to these goals: the course design uses a mentorship model to facilitate learning in the "zone of proximal development" between what first-year Honors students can comfortably do on their own and what they are able to do with the support of more advanced undergraduate, graduate, and library mentors. This offered a uniquely fertile institutional context in which to cultivate new modes of mentorship appropriate to our students' increasingly digitally mediated social and educational identities. We will describe the process involved with planning, producing, revising, and deploying the OERs and reflect on our students' learning process. We will discuss the ways that the RTOC model might be improved or adapted by other departments seeking to replicate RTOC's success.
Effect of isotonic and isometric knee extension exercises on mechanical and electromyographical specificity of fatigue

Abstract: This study investigated the effects of isotonic and isometric knee extension exercises on strength, power, and surface EMG in male and female populations. Using the knee extensors, ten males and ten females performed a 120 s MVIC and 120 maximal isotonic contractions. Prior to each exercise (t = pre) knee extensor isometric peak torque (strength) and average peak power (power) were tested utilizing three, 3 s MVIC’s and three maximal isotonic contractions, respectively. Following each exercise, strength and power were assessed immediately after (t =: 00) and at 2.5 (t =: 02.5), 5 (t =: 05), 10 (t =: 10), and 15 (t =: 15) minutes. All strength and power measures were normalized to the respective t = pre value. Vastus lateralis surface EMG signals were collected during all muscle testing and normalized to the respective tire value. Following isometric exercise, both strength and power at t =: 00 (68.7% ± 8.7% & 88.0% ± 8.7%) and t =: 02.5 (82.2% ± 17.8% & 95.2% ± 5.0%) significantly decreased from t=pre (100% ± 0.0%) (p < 0.05) with greater decreases in strength at each time point (p < 0.05). EMG analysis revealed a significant EMG amplitude decrease (p < 0.05) at t =: 00 and t =: 02.5 during strength testing with respect to t=pre. Following isotonic exercise, both strength and power at t =: 00 (68.0% ± 13.2% & 38.8% ± 10.7%) and t =: 02.5 (84.5% ± 14.9% & 81.6% ± 14.5%) significantly decreased from t=pre (100% ± 0.0%) with a greater power decrease at t =: 00 (p < 0.05). The EMG amplitude of males was significantly less at t =: 00 than the respective EMG amplitude for females (p < 0.05) (irrespective of testing condition). We conclude that muscle performance in the fatigued state is dependent upon the type of exercise performed.
Effect of Time of Cluster Thinning Grapevines

ABSTRACT Mature ‘Vidal blanc’ and ‘Chardonnay’ (Vitis sp.) grapevines were cluster thinned at different times to determine the influence on vine growth and fruiting. Cluster thinning to one cluster per shoot decreased yield and increased juice soluble solids concentrations. In one three-year study, cane node length (4,8 or 12 nodes) was imposed to develop different canopy densities. There was no interaction between cluster thinning time and cane node length. Clusters produced on longer canes had reduced cluster and berry weight, but cane length had no effect on juice components. A comparison of cluster thinning times from bloom to near veraison on ‘Vidal blanc’ showed the increase in cluster weight and juice pH became greater as time of cluster thinning was delayed. Berry weight reached a maximum when vines were cluster thinned two weeks after bloom. Juice total soluble solids of both ‘Vidal blanc’ and ‘Chardonnay’ was increased equally by all times of cluster thinning. There was no effect of cluster thin...
Sex dimorphism in responsiveness to hormonal induction of female behavior in frogs

Abstract A release call is emitted by both male and unreceptive female Rana pipiens when they are clasped by sexually-active males. Receptive females are silent. A neurohypophysial polypeptide, arginine-8 vasotocin (AVT) is the amphibian antidiuretic hormone; previous experiments have implicated AVT as a participant in the mechanism underlying the reproductive behavior in a female anuran. This experiment shows that AVT can reduce the number of calls elicited by tactile stimulation of the trunk in frogs of both sexes. It took longer in males than in females for AVT to inhibit the call and inhibition of the call was associated with more water retention in males than in females. Thus, it is inferred that males are less responsive than females to the ability of AVT to induce receptive behavior.
Hormonal control of postnatal development of ileal neuraminidase and acid beta-galactosidase.

This study examines the effect of changes of thyroid and glucocorticoid status on the development of ileal neuraminidase and acid β-galactosidase. Thyroxine (T4) administration on postnatal days 6–13 had no effect on the activity of either enzyme. In contrast, a single injection of cortisone acetate on day 6 caused a precocious reduction of the activities of both enzymes. Hypothyroidism delayed the usual developmental decline of neuraminidase activity and prevented the decline of acid β-galactosidase activity. This was probably due to an effect of T4 on endogenous glucocorticoids because cortisone acetate was just as effective as T4 in restoring enzyme activities to control levels. Adrenalectomy delayed the decline of both enzyme activities whereas glucocorticoid replacement in these same animals depressed enzyme activities to, or below, control levels. It is likely that glucocorticoids act as the primary cue in the maturation of these enzymes, but with T4 interaction necessary for the normal pattern to be elicited.
Morphometry and estimated bulk oxygen diffusion in larvae of Xenopus laevis under chronic carbon monoxide exposure.

To understand the mechanisms that allow tadpoles of the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis to develop under conditions of impaired convective transport (hemoglobin poisoning with carbon monoxide), whole animal surface area and volume were measured and bulk oxygen diffusion was modeled at four developmental stages (from initiation of heartbeat to pre-metamorphic climax). Surface area [8.5 mm2 at stages Nieuwkoop-Faber (NF) 33–34 to 70.2 mm2 at stages NF 50–51] and volume (1.8 mm3 at stages NF 33–34 to 35.7 mm3 at stages NF 50–51) measured from volumetric analysis from dual plane images of each animal were not significantly different between treatments. Bulk oxygen radial diffusion was estimated by modeling the larvae as a set of adjacent cylinders with different radii. The model was used to predict the oxygen tension at the water-skin interface at which the oxygen tension in the center of the animal is nil (0.7 kPa at stage NF 33–34 and 14.0 kPa at stage NF 50–51), suggesting that bulk oxygen diffusion is sufficient to meet the metabolic demand up to stages NF 46–47 irrespective of the oxygen tension at the water-skin interface. At NF 50–51 an anoxic core in the animal would appear if bulk oxygen diffusion were the only means of oxygen transport at oxygen tensions below 15 kPa. However, the relative volume of the anoxic core would only exceed 10% of the total volume of the animal only at oxygen tensions below 5 kPa. Therefore, the ten-fold increase in mass between NF 50–51 and metamorphosis would prove insufficient for embryonic oxygen requirements via simple diffusion, and therefore would require additional transport mechanisms.
Angle-sensitive pixels: a new paradigm for low-power, low-cost 2D and 3D sensing

Angle-sensitive pixels are micro-scale devices which capture information about both the intensity and incident angle of the light they see. These pixels acquire a richer description of incident light that conventional intensity-sensitive pixels. We provide a mathematical framework for analyzing the imaging capability of these pixels and demonstrate that they provide a response similar to one component of a 2D Hartley transform in angle, with a distinct frequency and orientation. By using several kinds of different pixels throughout an image sensor, we obtain a full, low-order Hartley transform of local angle, which is mapped to a local, spatial Hartley transform by a conventional camera lens. Based on these principles, we demonstrate a light-field camera using an image sensor composed of angle-sensitive pixels and a conventional camera lens. Single images captured by our camera can be directly used for both computational refocus for enhanced depth of field and depth map generation. The algorithms used for these tasks are simple and take advantage of the transform-based nature of angle-sensitive pixel based image capture.
The utility of personality variables and behaviorally-based measures in the prediction of risk-taking behavior

Abstract The five-factor personality model has demonstrated effectiveness in the prediction of adolescent risk-taking behavior (Gullone, & Moore, 2000). The Bechara Gambling Task (BGT; Bechara, Damasio, Damasio, & Anderson, 1994) and the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART; Lejuez et al., 2002) are two behaviorally-based measures that have also demonstrated some effectiveness in the prediction of risk-taking (Bechara, 2003; Lejuez, Aklin, Zvolensky, & Pedulla, 2003). The current study compares self-report and behaviorally-based measures in the prediction of risk-taking behavior in a college based sample. Zero-order correlations revealed several relationships among measures, and regression models indicated behaviorally-based measures explained significant variance beyond personality measures for subsets of risky behaviors. The utility of the BART and the BGT in the prediction of risk-taking is explored.
Valence as a measurement of the effectiveness of probation officer-client relationship

Abstract Probationers are expected to be socialized or resocialized through the assumed “primary relationship” which is supposed to occur by randomly assigning probationers to officers. A Likert-type scale was developed to assess the necessary ingredient of a primary group—relationship valence—and was administered to the clients of an urban probation agency. The assumption was supported. However, evidence suggests possible improvement through planned matching of clients to officers based on client and officer personality profiles. The Relationship Valence (RV) Scale facilitates this matching as well as assists in officer development and program evaluation. The RV Scale can be used as a research instrument to enhance a greater understanding of clients by comparing high scorers with low scorers and also to enhance a greater understanding of officers by comparing officers who elicit high scores with those who elicit low scores. In addition, the RV Scale is a tool to investigate the relationship between “primary groupness” with client attitude change.
Enzymes as versatile labels and signal amplifiers for monitoring immunochemical reactions

Enzymes have proven to be sensitive and versatile labels for immunochemical assays. The sensitivity of an enzyme label stems from its extraordinary catalytic power which in turn provides a great amplification of signals. Its versatility, however, stems from the fact that enzyme activity can be modulated by a number of substances. Enzyme labeled immunoassays can be divided into two categories: (a) heterogeneous and (b) homogeneous (non-separation). In the heterogeneous systems, the quantitation of the antibody bound and unbound fractions requires a physical separation of these two fractions, whereas the homogeneous or non-separation systems do not require such a separation. In the homogeneous systems, the unbound and antibody bound fractions can be distinguished functionally. A total of 11 unique principles used in the development of enzyme labeled immunoassays are described. The advantages, disadvantages and limitations of them are considered, as well as the future paths for research and developments.
Nucleotide sequence and genetic map of the 16-kb vaccinia virus HindIII D fragment.

Abstract We have determined the nucleotide sequence of the 16,059-bp HindIII D fragment from vaccinia virus strain WR. Translation in all 6 reading frames reveals a set of 22 open reading frames (ORFs), which are capable of encoding proteins ranging from 61 to 844 amino acids in length. With one exception, ORF 12, we have divided them into two primary sets according to their size. The minor group contains eight members ranging in length from 61 to 84 amino acids. The major group has thirteen members varying from 146 to 844 amino acids in length, and, in addition, due to its location on the DNA, one small ORF, 61 amino acids long. The neighboring major ORFs are closely packed along the DNA, being separated by 42 or fewer base pairs. In several instances the ends of adjoining ORFs overlap for up to 11 triplet codons. In three cases, 1 or 2 bases are shared between translation start and stop signals in adjacent ORFs. Regions of both strands of the DNA are transcribed. Two sets of temperature-sensitive mutations, totaling 17, which map to the HindIII D fragment, have been combined into eight complementation groups. The results of marker rescue analysis map one or more member of each group to a site in the HindIII D fragment within n defined open reading frame.
Incidence and diagnosis of unilateral arterial cerebral infarction in newborn infants.

Aims: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is accepted as the gold standard for the diagnosis of arterial cerebral infarction (ACI), but few studies have reported the incidence of neonatal ACI based on MRI findings. We provide new population-based epidemiologic and diagnostic data on all infants diagnosed between 1997 and 2002 in our center with an MRI-confirmed diagnosis of unilateral neonatal ACI. Results: Nine patients were identified, giving an incidence of 1:2300 unilateral ACIs in our inborn population. In all patients the middle cerebral artery was affected. Seven patients showed epileptic seizures, usually starting within the first 3 days of life. EEG was pathologic in all patients. Only three infarctions were diagnosed by ultrasound. Initial MRI established diagnosis of ACI in eight out of nine patients and subsequent MRI described the exact location of infarctions in all patients. Six out of nine patients developed hemiparesis and five had deficits in language development. There is a substantial need for special care facilities and long-term therapeutic interventions. Conclusions: The incidence of neonatal ACI is higher than previously reported. The sensitivity of early cerebral ultrasound for diagnosis of ACI is low. Seizures in the first 3 days of life combined with pathologic EEG findings should lead to MRI, regardless of normal cerebral ultrasound.
Types and locations of respiratory-related neurons in lateral tegmental field of cat medulla oblongata

Extracellular microelectrode recordings were made from a total of 868 neurons in the medullas of cats in regions known to contain high densities of respiratory-related neurons (solitary tract complex, nucleus ambiguus/retroambigualis, lateral tegmental field). Both the discharge patterns and the locations of units were noted and correlated with a recently described substructure of the tegmental field of the cat medulla in which neuronal cell bodies are found associated with sheets of blood vessels supplying the brainstem. The majority of cells were phasically firing (59%) with activity confined to either the inspiratory or the expiratory phase, 21% were tonically firing cells with no discernible respiratory modulation and 20% were silent neurons, responsive to electrical stimulation of the vagus nerves or the dorsolateral pons in the vicinity of nucleus parabrachialis, but not to various respiratory stimuli. Within the solitary tract complex inspiratory discharge patterns were predominant (94%), while in nucleus ambiguus/retroambigualis 26% of the neurons had expiratory patterns with the rest being inspiratory (68%) or tonic (6%). Within the lateral tegmental field, the percentages of inspiratory, expiratory and tonic patterns were 51, 9 and 40%. Thus, inspiratory type patterns were found throughout the medulla, but expiratory patterns were most common in the ambiguus/retroambigualis nuclei. Found within all 3 major regions, but primarily within the lateral tegmental field of the rostral medulla were neurons that discharged with a brief burst at the inspiratory to expiratory phase transition. These cells had properties consistent with the off-switch mechanism: extreme late-inspiratory onset of discharge with the onset time being delayed by lung inflation, peak discharge at or slightly after the peak activity of the diaphragmatic EMG and a discharge rate which was insensitive to lung inflation. Within the lateral tegmental field, where longitudinal sheets of blood vessels running radially with respect to the IVth ventricle have been described, it was found that 85% of the tonically active units and 93% of the respiratory modulated cells were located less than 200 microns from the planes of these sheets. In addition, 87% of the neurons that could be antidromically or synaptically activated from the dorsolateral rostral pons were similarly located.
Independent generation and characterization of a C2'-oxidized abasic site in chemically synthesized oligonucleotides.

Abasic lesions, which are formed endogenously and as a consequence of exogenous agents, are lethal and mutagenic. Hydrogen atom abstraction from C2‘ in DNA under aerobic conditions produces an oxidized abasic lesion (C2-AP), along with other forms of DNA damage. The effects of C2-AP on DNA structure and function are not well understood. A method for the solid-phase synthesis of oligonucleotides containing C2-AP lesions is reported. The lesion is released via periodate oxidation of a triol containing a vicinal diol. The triol is introduced via a phosphoramidite that is compatible with standard oligonucleotide synthesis and deprotection conditions. UV-melting studies indicate that the C2-AP lesion has a comparable effect on the thermal stability of duplex DNA as other abasic lesions. The C2-AP lesion is rapidly cleaved by piperidine at 90 °C. However, cleavage by NaOH (0.1 M, 37 °C) shows that C2-AP is considerably less labile (t1/2 = 3.3 ± 0.2 h) than other abasic lesions.
Comparative and functional morphology of wing coupling structures in Trichoptera: Annulipalpia

Several orders of morphologically four-winged insects have evolved mechanisms that enforce a union between the mesothoracic and metathoracic wings (forewings and hindwings) during the wing beat cycle. Such mechanisms result in a morphologically tetrapterous insect flying as if it were functionally dipterous, and these mechanisms have been described for several insect orders. The caddisfly suborders Annulipalpia and Integripalpia (Trichoptera) each have evolved a wing coupling apparatus, with at least three systems having evolved within the suborder Annulipalpia. The comparative and inferred functional morphology of the putative wing coupling mechanisms is described for the annulipalpian families Hydropsychidae (subfamilies Macronematinae and Hydropsychinae), Polycentropodidae and Ecnomidae, and a novel form-functional complex putatively involved with at-rest forewing-forewing coupling is described for Hydropsychidae: Smicrideinae. It is proposed that the morphology of the wing coupling apparatuses of Hydropsychinae and Macronematinae are apomorphies for those clades. J. Morphol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Academic Dispensations and the Role of the Counseling Center

Many institutions of higher education have provisions for allowing academic latitude when serious mental health problems get in the way of learning. This article reviews a hierarchy of academic remedies that may be utilized and the role of the college counseling center with respect to their use. The discussion centers around counseling center policies and their practical application, which involves working closely with the dean's office. The article considers the pros and cons of counseling center involvement, concluding that involvement is generally beneficial for both psychological and academic reasons.