cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Michael-type cyclizations in lantibiotic biosynthesis are reversible.

Lanthipeptides are members of the ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). They are generated in two biosynthetic steps: dehydration of Ser and Thr residues to the corresponding dehydroamino acids and subsequent conjugate addition by the thiol of Cys residues to generate the characteristic lanthionine and methyllanthionine thioether-bridged structures. Typically, a lanthipeptide contains multiple thioether cross-links. Recent studies have proposed that the final ring topology may be under thermodynamic control. If so, then the Michael-type cyclization reaction would need to be reversible, but such reversibility has never been demonstrated. We show here for the class I lanthipeptide cyclase NisC and class II lanthipeptide synthetase HalM2 that, indeed, the conjugate addition reactions are reversible and that the enzymes can open up all thioether rings in their products. We also propose that a His residue that is conserved among the lanthipeptide cyclases acts as the acid ...
Does non-malignant hypertension cause renal insufficiency? Evidence-based perspective.

While it is clear that malignant hypertension damages the kidneys, the question of whether non-malignant hypertension actually causes renal insufficiency remains controversial. A recent meta-analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials of antihypertensive drug therapy showed that patients randomized
Mechanisms and energetics for acid catalyzed β-D-glucose conversion to 5-hydroxymethylfurfurl.

Car–Parrinello based ab initio molecular dynamics (CPMD) coupled with metadynamics (MTD) simulations were carried out to investigate the mechanism and energetics for acid-catalyzed β-d-glucose conv...
Infections in Patients with Hodgkin's Disease: A Clinical Study of 300 Consecutive Adult Patients

Patterns of infection were investigated in 300 consecutive adult patients with Hodgkin's disease who were followed for an average of 5.7 years after diagnosis. Serious infection other than cutaneous herpes zoster infection developed in 21 % of the 300 patients. Sixty percent of the episodes of serious infection were microbiologically documented (MDSI). Bacteremia was the most frequent MDSI, and Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common organism causing MDSI. Bacteremia due to S. pneumoniae occurred in 3%7 of the 300 patients, was rarely fatal, and almost always was associated with prior relapse of Hodgkin's disease and with prior extensive combined modality therapy. The incidence of bacteremia due to S. pneumoniae among patients who had received extensive radiation therapy plus chemotherapy was 5.5/7o. Identifiable factors predisposing patients to infection were present at the time of all but two of the 68 episodes of MDSI that were observed. Patients who had received extensive radiotherapy plus chemotherapy had a higher incidence of subsequent episodes of serious infection and MDSI than did those who had received extensive radiotherapy alone. Among patients without Hodgkin's disease at autopsy but with infection contributing to death, only four patients lacked other major compromising illnesses. Patients cured of Hodgkin's disease who remained free of major second illnesses or long-term complications of prior treatment rarely developed MDSI other than infections caused by the post-splenectomy spectrum of organisms, regardless of the extent of prior cumulative immunosuppressive therapy.
Electrodeposititon of Cu/Ni Multilayers from Chloride Bath

Galvanostatic pulse is one of important techniques for making multilayers. The basic preparation condition of Cu/Ni multilayers from chloride bath was investigated using a galvanostatic pulse method. Smooth and finely layered deposits were obtained with the additation of peptone.
Analysis of induction factors and strategies for infants' ventilator-associated pneumonia causing by surgery of congenital heart disease

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a very common complication in infants who have surgeries because of congenital heart disease. VAP also leads high mortality rate. Medical workers have focused on VAP for a long time to find out countemesures which can prevent or cure VAP. In this review, the author summarized the details of factors which could cause VAP. Based on these, the author also discussed some strategies to avoid VAP. In consideration of infants, the author suggested that nursing staffs should lay stress on standard operation during their work, and try their best to avert VAP.
Chromosomes and Human Disease

By developing the first reasonably clear picture of chromosomal normality in man, the “cytogenetic revolution” of the 1960s has supplied a rationale for a number of once-mysterious syndromes. Today, automated analysis is opening the way to much broader application of cytogenetic information in diagnosis and counseling.
Examining social, physical, and environmental dimensions of tornado vulnerability in Texas.

Objective: To develop a vulnerability model that captures the social, physical, and environmental dimensions of tornado vulnerability of Texas counties. Design: Guided by previous research and methodologies proposed in the hazards and emergency management literature, a principle components analysis is used to create a tornado vulnerability index. Data were gathered from open source information available through the US Census Bureau, American Community Surveys, and the Texas Natural Resources Information System. Setting: Texas counties. Results: The results of the model yielded three indices that highlight geographic variability of social vulnerability, built environment vulnerability, and tornado hazard throughout Texas. Further analyses suggest that counties with the highest tornado vulnerability include those with high population densities and high tornado risk. Conclusions: This article demonstrates one method for assessing statewide tornado vulnerability and presents how the results of this type of analysis can be applied by emergency managers towards the reduction of tornado vulnerability in their communities.
The Economic Burden of Chronic Kidney Disease and End-Stage Renal Disease

The growing prevalence and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) raises concerns about our capacity to manage its economic burden to patients, caregivers, and society. The societal direct and indirect costs of CKD and end-stage renal disease are substantial and increase throughout disease progression. There is significant variability in the evidence about direct and indirect costs attributable to CKD and end-stage renal disease, with the most complete evidence concentrated on direct health care costs of patients with advanced to end-stage CKD. There are substantial gaps in evidence that need to be filled to inform clinical practice and policy.
Psychiatric Disorders in Mentally Retarded, Epileptic Children and Adolescents

The prevalence and types of psychiatric disorders in 98 school-age children with mental retardation (MR) and active epilepsy were investigated in the Departments of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Pediatrics, University of Goteborg, Sweden.
Evaluating the Gait of Lower Limb Prosthesis Users

Outcome assessments are vital in facilitating periodic, episodic and ongoing evaluation of persons with limb loss. There are many outcome measures used to quantify prosthetic fit, alignment, comfort, functionality and usability of lower limb prostheses. However, many measures are subjective, difficult to implement in a clinical setting and lack psychometric evaluation. This study used an immersive Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN) virtual reality system with an instrumented spilt-belt treadmill and real time motion capture system as a research tool to evaluate and compare the gait of lower limb prosthesis users and non-amputees as a preliminary study to determine the effectiveness and appropriate use of outcome measures. The use of the CAREN system providing more real world scenarios such as ramps, inclines and unexpected inclines helped evaluate the hill assessment index (HAI) and the combined gait asymmetry metric (CGAM).
Early Childhood Development in the Context of the Family: The Case of Child Marriage

Early childhood is a critical period in a child’s development. Poor conditions early in life affect not only children’s physical growth, but also their brain development and capabilities, with lasting consequences in adulthood. A child’s family is the first and most important support system to ensure healthy growth and development. This also means that when the family and especially the mother is vulnerable, this can have lasting negative consequences for young children. This article illustrates the impact that family conditions can have on early childhood development by considering the specific case of child marriage, defined as a girl marrying before the age of 18, as well as early childbirth, defined as a girl having a child before the age of 18, itself in most cases a consequence of child marriage. The article also discusses interventions that could help in reducing both the likelihood of child marriage and its intergenerational impacts on young children.
Performing Hunger: Fasting in Franz Kafka’s Hunger Artist as Poetic Practice

This chapter builds on material ecocriticism to include poetic issues that frame the entanglement of food and consumption as an ensemble of critical practices in literature. We interpret the economic and semiotic system of capitalism as a cultural phenomenon. On the example of Franz Kafka’s short story “A Hunger Artist” (1924), we show how poetic texts explore themes, places, cultures, and identities through a variety of techniques that are tied to figurative language. With its roots in modernist poetics, Kafka’s text reflects the cultural practice of fasting as an artistic performance on the thematic level and, at the same time, enacts the disruption of consumptive patterns through fasting on the level of poetic meaning.
What We Don't Know CAN Hurt Us: Mental Health Counselors' Implicit Assumptions About Human Nature

All people have implicit assumptions, often existing outside conscious awareness, about a range of human attributes. Mental health counselors may have unique sets of implicit assumptions about human nature which affect their view of client problems and influence their professional behavior. This article describes possible sets of counseling-relevant assumptions about human nature and discusses the importance of mental health counselors gaining greater awareness of their assumptions. Strategies for increasing this awareness are presented, and implications for mental health counseling educators and supervisors are discussed.
Thermal Analysis of the Forced Cooled Conductor for the TF Superconducting Coils in the TIBER II ETR Design

The Tokamak Ignition/Burn Experimental Reactor (TIBER) is being designed to provide nuclear testing capabilities for first wall and blanket design concepts. The baseline design for TIBER II is to provide steady-state nuclear burn capabilities. These objectives must be met using reactor relevant components, such as state-of-the-art current drive schemes coupled with superconducting toroidal field (TF) and poloidal field (PF) coils. The design is also constrained to be cost effective, which forces us to make the machine as small as possible. This last constraint limits the nuclear shielding in TIBER. Therefore, the TF coils will have a high nuclear heat load of up to 4.5 kW per coil. The cooling scheme and the thermal analysis for this design are presented.
Sex crimes: transnational problems and global perspectives, edited by Alissa R. Ackerman and Rich Furman

Alissa Ackerman and Rich Furman have compiled an eclectic and engaging edited volume on the very broad topic of sex crimes in a worldwide context. Few similar compilations exist. Ackerman and Furma...
Surgical salvage of recurrence after resection of colorectal liver metastases: incidence and outcomes

Surgical resection remains the primary curative treatment option for patients with colorectal liver metastases. While the majority of patients will develop tumor relapse within or outside of the liver after hepatic metastasectomy, a subset of these patients may be amenable to salvage surgical resection. However, outcomes for this approach are not well defined. In this article, we summarize the current evidence for the incidence, feasibility and outcomes of salvage resection for recurrence after initial resection of colorectal liver metastases.
Promoting Positive Youth Development: A Psychosocial Intervention Evaluation

Convergence among treatment, prevention, and developmental psychosocial intervention approaches has led to the recognition of the need for evaluation models and research designs that employ a full range of evaluation information to provide an empirical basis for enhancing the efficiency, efficacy, and effectiveness of prevention and psychosocial positive youth development interventions (PYD). This study reports an investigation of a PYD psychosocial program using an Outcome Mediation Cascade (OMC) evaluation model, which is an integrated model for evaluating the empirical intersection between intervention and developmental processes. The Changing Lives Program (CLP) is a community engaged PYD psychosocial intervention for multi-ethnic, multi-problem at risk youth in urban alternative high schools. Findings indicated that the hypothesized model fit the data, χ2(7) = 6.991, p = .43, RMSEA = .00, CFI = 1.00, WRMR = .459. Findings also provided preliminary evidence consistent with the hypothesis that, in addition to having effects on targeted positive outcomes, PYD interventions are likely to have progressive cascading effects on untargeted problem outcomes (in this case, behavioral outcomes) that operate through effects on positive outcomes.
Formatting Time-Aligned ASR Transcripts for Readability

We address the problem of formatting the output of an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system for readability, while preserving word-level timing information of the transcript. Our system enriches the ASR transcript with punctuation, capitalization and properly written dates, times and other numeric entities, and our approach can be applied to other formatting tasks. The method we describe combines hand-crafted grammars with a class-based language model trained on written text and relies on Weighted Finite State Transducers (WFSTs) for the preservation of start and end time of each word.
Identification of markers RREB1, MYB, CCND1 and centromere 6 for the discrimination between melanoma and nevi FFPE skin biopsies using fish

135 Background: Melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer with rapidly increasing incidence rates world-wide. It can be cured by simple excision if recognized early. Once metastasis has occurred, successful treatment options are limited. The gold standard for the diagnosis is histopathology. Although, the majority of cases can be diagnosed unequivocally as melanoma or benign melanocytic nevus, there is a subset of cases that cannot be classified without ambiguity. Misdiagnosis can result in inappropriate over or under treatment of patients. Since early diagnosis and treatment of melanoma is crucial to prevent progression, efforts to identify tumor markers that can help detect melanoma in early stages of development are highly important. To identify markers for the discrimination between melanoma and benign melanocytic nevi skin biopsies we used fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to correlate the copy number status of several genomic regions found in prior studies to be frequently aberrant in melanomas but not in nevi. Methods: We analyzed formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded biopsies from 94 melanomas and 95 benign nevi that were histopathologically unequivocally malignant or benign, respectively using sets of FISH probe targeting the following genomic loci: 1q31 (COX2), 4q13 (KIT), 6p25(RREB1), 6q23 (MYB), centromere6, 7q34 (BRAF), centromere 7, 9p21 (CDKN2A), centromere 10, 11q13 (CCND1), 17q21 (RARA), 17q25 (NTRK1), centromere 17, and 20q13 (ZNF217). Average probe signals of 30 non-overlapping nuclei were obtained to determine copy number increases (>2 signals), copy number decreases ( 2 or The five genomic regions with the best discriminatory ability were assembled into two panels: 6p25(RREB1)/6q23(MYB)/CEP® 6/11q13(CCND1) and 6p25(RREB1)/6q23(MYB)/ CEP® 6/ CEP® 10. These two probe sets were hybridized to 56 of the specimens and identified a probe combination with RREB1, MYB, CCND1 and CEP® 6 that had a sensitivity and specificity of 92 and 94%, respectively, to discriminate melanomas from nevi. Conclusions: Our study identifiedcopy number changes of RREB1, MYB, centromere 6 and CCND1 as powerful discriminators between melanoma and nevi. A four-color FISH assay containing probes targeting RREB1, MYB, CEP® 6, and CCND1 may improve diagnostic accuracy of melanoma.
On the Hasse invariants of the Tate normal forms E5 and E7

Abstract A formula is proved for the number of linear factors over F l of the Hasse invariant of the Tate normal form E 5 ( b ) for a point of order 5, as a polynomial in the parameter b, in terms of the class number of the imaginary quadratic field K = Q ( − l ) , proving a conjecture of the author from 2005. A similar theorem is proved for quadratic factors with constant term −1, and a theorem is stated for the number of quartic factors of a specific form in terms of the class number of Q ( − 5 l ) . These results are shown to imply a recent conjecture of Nakaya on the number of linear factors over F l of the supersingular polynomial s s l ( 5 ⁎ ) ( X ) corresponding to the Fricke group Γ 0 ⁎ ( 5 ) . The degrees and forms of the irreducible factors of the Hasse invariant of the Tate normal form E 7 for a point of order 7 are determined, which is used to show that the polynomial s s l ( N ⁎ ) ( X ) for the group Γ 0 ⁎ ( N ) has roots in F l 2 , for any prime l ≠ N , when N ∈ { 2 , 3 , 5 , 7 } .
Recovery from categorical boundary shifts for the vowel duration cue to consonant voicing

Abstract: Subjects identified the consonant in synthesized VC stimuli as /t/ or /d/ in pre-experimental, stimulus repetition, and recovery conditions. The stimuli varied in vowel duration in 25 ms steps between 125 and 375 ms. During the stimulus repetition condition, 22 trials were presented during each of which either the 125 or 375 ms stimulus was heard 85 times and then five of the stimuli were presented for identification. During recovery conditions, subjects again identified the stimuli after intervals of 1, 4, 7, and 28 min. Results were as follows: (1) at least 50% recovery from boundary shift occurred for both repeated stimuli at 1 min but there was significantly greater recovery for the 375 ms stimulus than for the 125 ms stimulus; (2) recovery for both stimuli was no greater than 80% at 28 min; and (3) correlations between boundary shift and recovery were very low and not significant. Results appeared to reflect two stages of recovery, a rapid change in the first minute and a more gradual change during the following half hour.
Study of the reverse Magnus effect on a golf ball and a smooth ball moving through still air

The Magnus effect and the reverse Magnus effect are studied on golf balls and on smooth balls, each of which are moving in still air. The fluid motion around the balls is measured using 2-component particle image velocimetry (PIV). The PIV data are used to compute the out-of-plane component of vorticity, and the vorticity field, along with the velocity field, is used to find the locations and state of the boundary layers at separation on the top and bottom of the ball. The reverse Magnus effect occurs when the spin is sufficient to cause the retreating boundary layer to be laminar, while the advancing side is turbulent. The reverse Magnus regime ends when the retreating side becomes turbulent due to the separation point moving into a strong adverse pressure gradient on the rear of the ball.
Blood RNA Profiles are Diagnostic for Severity in Human Acute Spinal Cord Injury

Biomarkers of spinal cord injury (SCI) could help determine the severity of the injury and facilitate early critical care decision making. We analyzed global gene expression in peripheral white blood cells during the acute injury phase and identified 197 genes whose expression changed after SCI compared to healthy and trauma controls and in direct relation to SCI severity. Unsupervised co-expression network analysis identified several gene modules that predicted injury severity (AIS grades) with an overall accuracy of 72.7% and included signatures of immune cell subtypes. Our findings indicate that global transcriptomic changes in peripheral blood cells have diagnostic and potentially prognostic value for SCI severity.
S103. ASSESSING MOOD SYMPTOMS IN PSYCHOSIS: EXAMINING DIFFERENCES IN MOOD SYMPTOM PRESENTATION AMONGST RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITIES WITH PSYCHOSIS

Background Previous studies have shown that African Americans are more likely than Caucasians to receive a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Once diagnosed, African Americans are slower to seek treatment, more likely to underutilize mental health services, tend to display lower rates of medication adherence, and respond more slowly to psychosocial interventions. This disparity in diagnoses is due to multiple factors. One notable issue is the under-diagnosis of mood symptoms in African Americans with psychosis. Specifically, studies have shown that African Americans are more likely than Caucasians to receive a non-affective psychosis diagnosis, even though the rates of current mood episodes between the Caucasians and African Americans are similar. This is seen more with regards to depressive symptoms than those of mania. These disparities in diagnosis may contribute to decreased treatment efficacy, erosion of trust in treatment providers, and increased attrition in African Americans. Therefore, this issue is one deserving of further understanding. In the current study we sought to explore differences in mood diagnoses in a sample of help-seeking individuals with comorbid psychosis spectrum and mood symptoms.
A prospective trial of standard versus multimedia counseling in patients undergoing endometrial cancer surgery.

2067Background: A patient’s understanding of surgery is often limited, especially in the setting of complex oncologic procedures. A recent review found that interventions such as the use of written...
Performing Tlatelolco and the Past That Never Dies: Auxilio: Au secours and El pasado nunca se muere, ni siquiera es pasado

The 50th commemoration of the 2 October 1968 massacre of students and bystanders in the Plaza de Tlatelolco included performances that forced spectators to confront the nagging legacy of 1968 and t...
Imbrication Patterns of Lunda

This paper examines the imbrication process in Lunda. It is widely acknowledged in the literature that imbrication in Bantu languages is mainly triggered by the perfective or past tense suffix (Bastin 1983). In Lunda, however, this morphophonological process is not only conditioned by the remote past tense inflectional suffix but also caused by derivational extensions that include the applicative, the causative, and to a lesser extent the reciprocal affix when they are attached to a large number of verb bases. Imbrication typically occurs with verb bases containing what is known as an extension, whether productive or frozen. Unlike many Bantu languages, this phenomenon always results in the deletion of the base final consonant and the consonant of the suffix survives. This segmental loss leads to either vowel coalescence between the two adjacent vowels or gliding
Special Issue: Formation and Function of Fungal Ascospores.

I wish to thank all of the authors who contributed papers to this Special Issue on the Formation and Function of Ascospores [...]
Role of microstructural heterogeneities in damage formation and fracture of oligocrystalline Mg under tensile loading

Abstract This paper describes the main results from in-situ and ex-situ testing and characterization studies to reveal the effects of microstructural heterogeneities that develop during plastic deformation of coarse-grained Mg on damage formation and fracture of the material. Experiments are carried out using a micro-test tensile stage in and outside a scanning electron microscope in combination with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), micro X-ray computed tomography (μXCT), and optical microscopy. It is seen that the micro-specimens exhibit significant macroscopic shape changes upon interrupting the tests. Such shape changes result from microstructural changes and underlying relaxation of inter-granular back-stress accumulated during loading. Twins with low Schmid factor (SF) for basal slip in grains with low SF for basal slip are observed to de-twin. Upon de-twinning, dislocations are found to remain in the structure as is evident by increase in the kernel average misorientation (KAM). Interestingly, twins nucleate in these regions again with continuous forward straining. In contrast, twinned domains favorably oriented for basal slip do not de-twin but thicken with plastic straining. These twins soften the material leading to localization of deformation and damage nucleation. At the interface between twinned domains and parent grains voids are observed. Voids nucleate due to lack of slip transfer causing pile-ups, as is evident from high KAM. Additionally, twins are observed to induce a substantial surface roughness. Large twins accommodating significant shear strain form surface ridges. Such significant heterogeneities also result in nucleation of voids from the surface. In addition to twinning induced voids, damage accumulates and voids form and propagate along high-angle grain boundaries between grains with low SF or those with disparate SF for basal slip. μXCT reveals voids away from the fractured surface highlighting the extent of heterogeneous deformation and fracture behavior of Mg. Fracture surfaces exhibit characteristics of mixed ductile-brittle fracture with signs of trans-granular cleavage and fluted facets with minor content of inter-granular fracture.
Circulating Tumor-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Predict Clinical Outcomes in 11C Choline-identified Oligometastatic Castration-Refractory Prostate Cancer Treated with Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) has demonstrated clinical benefit in oligometastatic prostate cancer patients. However, the risk of developing new distant metastatic lesions remains high and only a minority of patients experience durable progression-free response. Therefore, there is a critical need to identify which subset of oligometastatic patients will benefit from SABR alone versus combination SABR and systemic agents. Herein, we provide the first proof-of-concept for the clinical value of circulating prostate cancer-specific extracellular vesicles (PCEVs) as non-invasive predictor of oncological outcomes in oligometastatic castration-refractory prostate cancer (oCRPC) patients treated with SABR. We have defined PCEVs and analyzed their kinetics in the peripheral blood of 79 oCRPC patients with nanoscale flow cytometry at baseline and days 1, 7, and 14 post-SABR. High PCEV levels at baseline was predictive of shorter time to distant recurrence (3.5 vs 6.6 months, p=0.0087). Following SABR, PCEV levels reached a peak at day 7 and median overall survival was significantly longer in patients with higher PCEV levels (32.7 vs 27.6 months, p=0.003). This suggests that pre-treatment PCEV levels can be a biomarker of tumor burden while early changes post-treatment can predict response to SABR. In contrast, radiomic analyses of 11C-choline PET/CT before and after SABR was not predictive of clinical outcomes. Interestingly, a correlation was noted between PCEV levels and peripheral tumor-reactive CD8 T cells (TTR; CD8+ CD11ahigh). This original study demonstrates that circulating PCEVs can serve as prognostic and predictive marker to SABR in order to identify true oCRPC patients. In addition, we provide novel insights in the global crosstalk mediated by PCEVs between tumors and immune cells which leads to systemic suppression of immunity against CRPC. This work lays the foundation for future studies that investigate the underpinnings of metastatic progression and providing new therapeutic targets (e.g PCEVs) to improve SABR efficacy and clinical outcomes in treatment resistant CRPC.
Automatic summarization of conversational multi-party speech

Document summarization has proven to be a desirable component in many information management systems, complementing core information retrieval and browsing functionalities. The use of document summarization techniques is especially important with speech documents such as meeting transcriptions, since they are particularly difficult to navigate. As opposed to their written counterparts, spoken documents lack structural elements like title, headers, and paragraphs that can ease the task of the information seeker. Document summarization can reduce the overhead of navigating large collections of speech data. For example, summarization techniques can be used to extract or highlight relevant passages in a full transcription. Alternatively, similar techniques might be used to generate short text substitutes, or abstracts, that capture the “aboutness” of the meeting, while discarding disfluencies and other unimportant elements. In my thesis work, I address the problem of creating abstractive summaries of meetings, a task that has to date only received limited attention. Abstractive summarization differs from extraction in that it does not simply concatenate input utterances, but alters the extracted material in order to produce fluent and concise summaries. Speech summarization faces many challenges not found in texts, in particular high word error rates (WER on this data is 34.8%), absence of punctuation, and sometimes lack grammaticality and coherent ordering. My approach to speech summarization divides the problem into two subtasks that are admittedly quite independent: content selection, i.e. identifying a set of salient utterances that is a practical substitute to the entire meeting transcription; utterance revision, i.e. correcting the various non-fluencies typical of conversational speech, and operating below the sentence level to further remove unimportant lexical material.
Evaluation of upwelling infrared radiance in a nonequilibrium nonhomogeneous atmosphere

The influence of vibrational nonequilibrium upon upwelling infrared radiance from the earth's atmosphere is investigated. By employing the line-by-line model for spectral absorption, heating rates and upwelling radiances are calculated for equilibrium and nonequilibrium conditions in the spectral range of 4.7 micron CO and 3.3 micron CH4 bands. Heating rates are calculated also for the 15 micron CO2 band and are compared with other available results in the literature. For the spectral range of the CO fundamental band, the influence of different parameters on the upwelling radiance is investigated. It is found that for CO the assumption of local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) is not justified at tropospheric temperatures and pressures. If the resonance effects of CO-N2 collisions are considered, then the assumption of LTE is justified up to 60 kilometers. This information is very useful for measurement of atmospheric pollutants, earth radiation budget studies and climate modeling, and infrared signature works.
[I3] Imitation, Iteration and Improvisation: Embodied interaction in making and learning

I introduce in this paper a new learning and making process that fosters a new ability to make things through the body's direct, iterative engagement with materials, tools, machines and objects. Tested in a variety of educational settings, this method, which I call ‘I3’ for its three-layer operation of ‘Imitation, Iteration and Improvisation’, allows learners to develop their sensory experiences to improvise and create on their own. I introduce case studies in order to test I3. I challenge the separation of design and construction often reinforced by the use of digital fabrication. I show that learning to make and learning from making emerge together through a situated and embodied interaction among the learner, the materials, the tools and the object in-the-making.
Intimacy Based Sex Therapy

AbstractLack of intimacy is often the source of sexual problems. This paper describes an approach to treating sexual dysfunctions by establishing a Model of Intimacy (IM) as a base for treatment. While incorporating some of the more traditional approaches to sex therapy, IM offers the couple the advantage of a conceptual framework in which to explore the potential for intimacy, while including new behavioral approaches appropriate for reversing specific sexual problems. This approach has been tested for 11 years and found useful for the treatment of male and female sexual dysfunctions including low sexual desire.
Characterizing enhanced performance of nanopatterned bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaics

We present experimental and theoretical studies of a nanopatterned photonic crystal formed between the bulk heterojunction blend, poly-3-hexylthiophene:[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PCBM) and nanocrystalline zinc oxide (nc-ZnO). The nanopattern is fabricated using the Pattern Replication in Non-wetting Templates (PRINT) technique. We summarize the fabrication method and show how it can be used to make a highly ordered hexagonal array of photovoltaic P3HT:PCBM posts. We also discuss theoretical studies of optical absorption for the nanopattern design that result in a 22% enhancement over a conventional planar cell. Spectroscopic ellipsometry is also used to determine the optical constants of solar cell materials that are used in the optical model. Finally, we calculate the local exciton creation profile within the photoactive nanopattern to relate the nanostructured geometry to electrical performance.
Right atrial thrombus leading to altered mental status.

CEREBRAL INFARCTION as a result of emboli originating from the left side of the heart is a well-known pathologic process. In addition, the risk of developing a right atrial thrombus from an indwelling central venous catheter for hemodialysis exists.1 A patient is presented with multiple embolic infarctions in her left hemisphere as the result of a right atrial thrombus coexisting with multiple atrial septal defects, a situation diagnosed only with a Valsalva maneuver during transesophageal echocardiography.
Visualizing Dispersion Interactions

An animation and accompanying activity has been developed to help students visualize how dispersion interactions arise. The animation uses the gecko’s ability to walk on vertical surfaces to illustrate how dispersion interactions play a role in macroscale outcomes. Assessment of student learning reveals that students were able to develop conceptual understanding and accurate mental models of how dispersion interactions arise and their influence on molecular and macroscale outcomes.
Some Methods for Simplifying Switching Circuits Using “Don't Care” Conditions

Several methods for simplifying switching circuits using “don't-care” conditions are suggested. One of the methods uses the following procedure: Let the given circuit be represented by the truth function F. Let the given “don't-care” conditions be denoted byD = 0. (For example, if x1 = 1 and x2 = 0 represent the combination of input signals which never takes place, then D = x1x2.) Generate all the irredundant disjunctive and conjunctive forms which are equivalent toF wheneverD = 0. From these forms, the simplest ones may then be chosen according to a given measure of simplicity. They correspond to the simplest two-level AND/OR or OR/AND switching circuits which, under the “don't-care” conditions, perform the same function as the given circuit. Several methods for generating the equivalent irredundant forms are suggested. They are generalizations of those due to Quine, Ghazala and Mott, and may be programmed for use on computers. Alternative simplification methods are also given.
Irrigated hard winter wheat response to fall, spring, and late season applied nitrogen

Abstract High yielding irrigated hard red winter wheat (HRW, Triticum aestivum L.) is frequently low in protein and marketed at a discount. Protein is affected by available nitrogen (N) but few published reports relate to N fertilization practices for producing high yielding irrigated hard red winter wheat with acceptable protein in arid environments. A three year study (1985–1987) was conducted (1) to determine the influence on irrigated HRW yield and protein of fall preplant, spring topdress, and late N applied, and (2) to evaluate flag leaf nitrogen concentrations (FLN) for scheduling late season N. Early season N treatments for vegetative growth consisted of an untreated control (0 N), and 168 kg urea N ha−1 either broadcast preplant and incorporated in the fall, topdressed in early spring, or both (336 kg N ha−1 total). Applying late season N at heading or flowering (0 or 56 kg urea N ha−1) was evaluated with all earlier season N treatments. The N applied for vegetative growth increased yield from 3.6 to 4.1 Mg ha−1 and protein from 15 to 47 g kg−1. The timing of N application (fall versus spring), without late season N, did not affect grain yield but protein was 8–13 g kg−1 higher with spring topdressed N. Excessive N (336 kg N ha−1) during vegetative growth consistently reduced grain yield of non-lodged wheat due to lighter kernels. Protein increases with late season N were highly dependent on the earlier season N rate and timing. Late season N was essential for increasing protein to 120 g kg−1 without incurring yield losses from excessive N during vegetative growth. FLN was directly related to protein, and inversely related to the late season N induced protein increase. However, the protein relationships to FLN differed markedly among years. Normalized FLN values, dividing all values for a year by the highest value in that year, greatly reduced the year effects. Both high yields and acceptable protein of irrigated HRW are possible with sufficient N during vegetative growth for yield and late season N for protein enhancement.
Origin of middle rare earth element enrichments in acid waters of a Canadian high Arctic lake.

–Middle rare earth element (MREE) enriched rock-normalized rare earth element (REE) patterns of a dilute acidic lake (Colour Lake) in the Canadian High Arctic, were investigated by quantifying whole-rock REE concentrations of rock samples collected from the catchment basin, as well as determining the acid leachable REE fraction of these rocks. An aliquot of each rock sample was leached with 1 N HNO3 to examine the readily leachable REE fraction of each rock, and an additional aliquot was leached with a 0.04 M NH2OH · HCl in 25% (v/v) CH3COOH solution, designed specifically to reduce Fe-Mn oxides/oxyhydroxides. Rare earth elements associated with the leachates that reacted with clastic sedimentary rock samples containing petrographically identifiable Fe-Mn oxide/oxyhydroxide cements and/or minerals/amorphous phases, exhibited whole-rock-normalized REE patterns similar to the lake waters, whereas whole-rock-normalized leachates from mafic igneous rocks and other clastic sedimentary rocks from the catchment basin differed substantially from the lake waters. The whole-rock, leachates, and lake water REE data support acid leaching or dissolution of MREE enriched Fe-Mn oxides/oxyhydroxides contained and identified within some of the catchment basin sedimentary rocks as the likely source of the unique lake water REE patterns. Solution complexation modelling of the REEs in the inflow streams and lake waters indicate that free metal ions (e.g., Ln3+, where Ln = any REE) and sulfate complexes (LnSO4+) are the dominant forms of dissolved REEs. Consequently, solution complexation reactions involving the REEs during weathering, transport to the lake, or within the lake, cannot be invoked to explain the MREE enrichments observed in the lake waters.
Synthesis and properties of sulfhydryl-group-specific reagents containing 125I.

Abstract 125I-containing compounds that react specifically with sulfhydryl groups were prepared in yields of 30 to 40% on the basis of starting 125I quantity. The synthetic precursors were commercially available heterobifunctional crosslinkers and the peptide l -arginyl- l -tyrosine. Two types of sulfhydryl specific reagents were prepared: 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionylarginyl-[125I]-monoiodotyrosine, which permits reversible incorporation of 125I at sulfhydryl sites, and 3-maleimidopropionylarginyl-[125I]monoiodotyrosine, an irreversible labeling reagent. These products were isolated in a highly radiochemically pure form by C18 HPLC. The second-order rate constants for the reaction of 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionylarginylmonoiodotyrosine and 3-maleimidopropionylarginylmonoiodotyrosine with N-acetylcysteine were 28 ± 3 m −1 s−1 and 154 ± 4 m −1 s−1, respectively, at pH 7.3. Storage of carrier-free 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionylarginyl-[125I]monoiodotyrosine and 3-maleimidopropionylarginyl-[125I]monoiodotyrosine at −80°C at a radioactive concentration of 0.4 mCi/ml resulted in conversion of 125I to species that did not react covalently with sulfhydryl groups. This process occurred with first-order kinetics and a t 1 2 of 5.7 days for the pyridyldithio compound and 7.5 days for the maleimido compound. No conversion was observed during storage at −80°C at radioactive concentrations of 0.02 mCi/ml or less. The labeling properties of these compounds were examined using red blood cell proteins as a test system. 3-(2-Pyridyldithio)propionylarginyl-[125I]monoiodotyrosine and maleimidopropionylarginyl-[125I]monoiodotyrosine reacted preferentially with membrane - associated sulfhydryl groups when incubated with intact red blood cells.
The Role of Gastric Pepsin in the Inflammatory Cascade of Pediatric Otitis Media

Importance Otitis media is characterized as an ongoing inflammation with accumulation of an effusion in the middle ear cleft. The molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis, particularly the inflammatory response, remain largely unknown. We hypothesize that aspiration of gastric contents into the nasopharynx may be responsible for the initiation of the inflammatory process or aggravate a preexisting condition. Objective To investigate the correlation of gastric pepsin A with inflammatory cytokines, bacterial infection, and clinical outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants Prospective study of 129 pediatric patients undergoing myringotomy with tube placement for otitis media at a tertiary care pediatric hospital. Main Outcomes and Measures Ear samples were tested for pepsin A; cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor; and bacterial culture inoculation. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and regression analysis to identify risk factors for the presence of pepsin A and to correlate pepsin A levels with cytokine levels, infection status, and clinical outcomes. Results Of the 129 patients, 199 ear samples were obtained; 82 samples (41%) and 64 patients (50%) were positive for pepsin A as measured by immunoassay. Pepsin A positivity correlated with age younger than 3.0 years (mean [SD], 2.3 [2.1] years in the positive group vs 3.3 [3.0] years in the negative group) and with all 3 cytokine levels (mean [SD] tumor necrosis factor, 29.5 [45.9] pg/mL in the positive group vs 13.2 [21.6] pg/mL in the negative group; IL-6, 6791.7 [9389.1] pg/mL in the positive group vs 2849.9 [4066.3] pg/mL in the negative group; and IL-8, 6828.2 [8122.3] pg/mL in the positive group vs 2925.1 [3364.5] pg/mL in the negative group [all P P = .02) and age (odds ratio, 3.83; 95% CI, 1.2-12.7; P = .03) were significant independent variables. No statistically significant association was found with other parameters. Multiple linear regressions revealed that the levels of pepsin A were correlated with IL-8 levels ( R 2 = 0.248; P R 2 = 0.102; P = .006). The presence of pepsin A in the middle ear was not associated with increased bacterial infection. Interleukin 8 was independent and significantly associated with both pepsin A levels and bacterial infection ( R 2 = 0.144 and 0.263, respectively; P = .001 for both). Conclusions and Relevance Extraesophageal reflux as indicated by the presence of pepsin A is closely involved in the middle ear inflammatory process and may worsen the disease in some children; however, a proof of cause and effect between extraesophageal reflux and middle ear inflammation requires further investigation.
Safety, efficacy, and tolerance of intestinal lavage in pediatric patients undergoing diagnostic colonoscopy.

In an open-label prospective study the safety, efficacy, and patient tolerance of an enterally administered isotonic intestinal lavage solution containing polyethylene glycol-3350 was evaluated in 20 pediatric patients (ages 1½ to 19 years) undergoing diagnostic colonoscopy. After an oral dose of metociopramide, lavage solution was administered by mouth or nasogastric tube at a rate of 40 ml/kg per hour until stools were clear. Emesis occurred in 4 patients, nausea in 11, and abdominal distension in 5. Clear stools were produced in a mean (±SE) time of 2.6±0.3 hours. The volume of lavage solution delivered, which ranged from 15.6 to 183.3 ml/kg, varied inversely with the weight (and age) of the patient. Preparation of the colon was considered optimal in 11 patients, satisfactory in 7, and suboptimal in 2. Small but significant decreases in urine osmolality, blood urea nitrogen, serum glucose, and potassium values were noted at the termination of perfusion. Postperfusion serum glucose concentration in the smallest patient (11.4 kg) was 61 mg/dL (3.4 mmol/L). Mean (±SEM) change in weight after perfusion was 0.14±0.05 kg (range −0.2 to +0.6 kg). Of 20 patients, 11 required or requested nasogastric administration of the lavage solution because of its unpleasant taste. We conclude that whole intestinal perfusion with a balanced electrolyte solution containing polyethylene glycol is safe, acceptable, and efficacious in children.
Effects of p-fluorophenylalanine on the growth of Lactobacillus arabinosus

Abstract p -Fluorophenylalanine has been found to be inhibitory to Lactobacillus arabinosus 17-5. This inhibition has been shown to be competitive with phenylalanine but not with tyrosine, and is described by a low antibacterial index, which varies over a range of approximately 1–20, dependent upon the temporal stage of the culture for which the data are employed in calculation. The organism has been found also to adapt readily to the inhibitor. Evidence that this adjustment involves a mutation to a type with a selective advantage in media containing the inhibitor is presented. Under limiting conditions, which have been described, the organism is capable of greater growth in the presence of both metabolite and antimetabolite than in the presence of the same amount of metabolite alone. Discussion of the significance of the results has been presented.
Efficacy of Carbon Disulfide Against Ascaridia Galli (Roundworm) of Chickens

Abstract INTRODUCTION UP TO now, CS2 has not been the drug of choice to remove Ascaridia galli from chickens. Its limited use against this parasite is probably related to its toxicity, difficult administration, and availability of more nearly satisfactory anthelmintics. Recently, CS2 has been combined with a piperazine compound. 4 This anthelmintic was tested by Shumard (1957) and found to be highly efficacious for removing chicken ascarids. Use of CS2 in this form should renew interest in it as an anthelmintic. The first reported use of CS2 to remove A. galli from chickens was by Roberts (1937). His work embodied a series of studies involving numerous anthelmintics so time permitted only a cursory study of CS2. Later, Knapp and Hansen (1954); in a preliminary report, showed that the drug could be used effectively to remove A. galli. Because of limited information, the present study was initiated to investigate the action of CS2 …