cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of family history and preventive health behaviors on colorectal cancer screening in African Americans.

BACKGROUND. African Americans (AAs) have low rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. To the authors' knowledge, factors that influence their participation, especially individuals with a family history of CRC (“family history”), are not well understood. METHODS. A secondary analysis of the 2002 Maryland Cancer Survey data examined predictors of risk-appropriate, timely CRC screening (“screening”) in AAs with a family history and in individuals without a family history. Predictors that were evaluated included age, sex, family history, mammogram or prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, body mass index, activity, fruit/vegetable consumption, alcohol, smoking, perceived risk of cancer, education, employment, insurance, access to a healthcare provider, and healthcare provider recommendation of fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and/or sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy. RESULTS. In individuals without a family history of CRC (N = 492), recommendation for FOBT (odds ratio [OR] of 11.90; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 6.84–20.71) and sigmoidoscopy/colonscopy (OR of 7.06; 95% CI, 4.11–12.14), moderate/vigorous activity (OR of 1.74; 95% CI, 1.06–2.28), and PSA screening history (OR of 2.68; 95% CI, 1.01–7.81) were found to be predictive of screening. In individuals with a family history (N = 88), recommendation for sigmoidoscopy/colonscopy (OR of 24.3; 95%, CI 5.30–111.34) and vigorous activity (OR of 5.21; 95% CI, 1.09–24.88) were found to be predictive of screening. However, family history did not predict screening when the analysis was controlled for age, education, and insurance. AAs who had a family history were less likely to screen compared with their white counterparts (N = 293) and compared with AAs who were at average risk for CRC (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS. Regardless of family history, healthcare provider recommendation and activity level were important predictors of screening. Lower screening rates were observed in AAs who had a family history compared with individuals who did not. The authors believe that, for AAs who have a family history, further examination of barriers and facilitators to CRC screening within the cultural context is warranted. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Geomagnetic field variations and the accumulation of in-situ cosmogenic nuclides in an eroding landform

The analysis of cosmogenic nuclides in an eroding surface yields information concerning erosion rates and exposure times. Such analysis requires accurate knowledge of the nuclide production rate at the site in question. Here we develop a relatively simple analytic model for the time variation of the production rate caused by fluctuations in the geomagnetic field. This model contains three parameters, which have a clear physical meaning and which provide a convenient way to quantify information on the production rate variations. We use this model to compute the buildup of nuclides in an eroding surface, and derive an analytic formula for the nuclide concentration as a function of the exposure time and the erosion rate. Several representative applications of our results are presented.
High Nuclear Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 Alpha Expression Is a Predictor of Distant Recurrence in Patients With Resected Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Purpose To evaluate nuclear hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) expression as a prognostic factor for distant recurrence (DR) and local recurrence (LR) after pancreatic adenocarcinoma resection. Methods and Materials Tissue specimens were collected from 98 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma who underwent resection without neoadjuvant therapy between January 2000 and December 2011. Local recurrence was defined as radiographic or pathologic evidence of progressive disease in the pancreas, pancreatic bed, or associated nodal regions. Distant recurrence was defined as radiographically or pathologically confirmed recurrent disease in other sites. Immunohistochemical staining was performed and scored by an independent pathologist blinded to patient outcomes. High HIF-1α overall expression score was defined as high percentage and intensity staining and thus score >1.33. Univariate analysis was performed for HIF-1α score with LR alone and with DR. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine predictors of LR and DR. Results Median follow-up time for all patients was 16.3 months. Eight patients (8%) demonstrated isolated LR, 26 patients (26.5%) had isolated DR, and 13 patients had both LR and DR. Fifty-three patients (54%) had high HIF-1α expression, and 45 patients (46%) had low HIF-1α expression. High HIF-1α expression was significantly associated with DR ( P =.03), and low HIF-1α expression was significantly associated with isolated LR ( P =.03). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, high HIF-1α was the only significant predictor of DR (odds ratio 2.46 [95% confidence interval 1.06-5.72]; P =.03). In patients with a known recurrence, an HIF-1α score ≥2.5 demonstrated a specificity of 100% for DR. Conclusions High HIF-1α expression is a significant predictor of distant failure versus isolated local failure in patients undergoing resection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Expression of HIF-1α may have utility in determining candidates for adjuvant local radiation therapy and systemic chemotherapy.
Stability of red cell antigens during prolonged storage in citrate‐phosphate‐dextrose and a new preservative solution

Red cells anticoagulated with citrate-phosphate-dextrose (CPD) or a commercial preservative solution containing adenine, sodium chloride, and mannitol (ADSOL) and stored in heat-sealed segments of plastic tubing were tested for antigen stability after refrigeration at 4 degrees C for up to 56 days. Reactivity of the A, B, c, D, K, Lea, Fya, M, and P1 antigens was maintained adequately during the storage period in both solutions. Heat-sealed segments containing red cells suspended in either CPD or ADSOL preservation solutions for up to 56 days appear acceptable for use in compatibility testing.
Field Propagation Techniques for the Endangered Razorback Sucker

Abstract We used plastic bags to incubate, transport, and hatch embryos for specific crosses of razorback suckers Xyrauchen texanus during two spawning seasons on the Colorado River (Nevada–Arizona). Fifty to 2,000 razorback sucker eggs were fertilized in plastic food storage bags for 26 matings in 102 trials. Experimental treatments prevented hatching in all bags, but hatching was observed when fresh milt and viable eggs were used (10–99% hatch). Observation of embryo development and treatment effects was facilitated by the transparency and portability of the bags. Water volume and exchange rates were chosen according to estimated metabolic rates, and the addition of oxygen to the bags was evaluated to increase holding times. Plastic bags were inexpensive and useful for gamete storage, controlled propagation, and transport of gametes, embryos, and fry under field conditions. These techniques are suitable for various applications in studies of reproductive biology, and they are especially suited to geneti...
Drug Safety during Pregnancy and in Infants: Lack of Mortality Related to Mitochondrial Dysfunction among Perinatally HIV‐Exposed Children in Pediatric HIV Surveillance

The objectives were to assess whether any deaths reported among perinatally exposed, uninfected, or indeterminate children were consistent with mitochondrial dysfunction, and to characterize perinatal exposure to antiretrovirals among children born in the last five years and reported to perinatal HIV surveillance. Population-based HIV/AIDS surveillance data on perinatally exposed children born in 1993 through 1998 from 32 states with HIV reporting and from a special HIV surveillance project in Los Angeles County and in 22 hospitals in New York City were used. The classifications of exposure and deaths were consistent with the investigation of deaths across all US cohorts. Deaths were ascertained from recent matches with death registries in each state. Causes of death were ascertained from death certificates, autopsy records when available, and medical records. None of the 98 deaths (1.1%) among 9067 perinatally exposed uninfected or indeterminate children born from 1993 through 1998 and reported through pediatric HIV surveillance died of conditions that were consistent with mitochondrial dysfunction. This included 679 children exposed to zidovudine (ZDV) and 3TC, 277 exposed to other antiretroviral combinations, 4512 exposed to ZDV alone, 927 with no antiretroviral exposure, and 2672 with unknown exposure--1128 of whom were born before March 1994 and were unlikely to have been exposed to ZDV. No deaths attributable to mitochondrial dysfunction were found through this evaluation of population-based HIV surveillance data. Long-term follow-up of antiretroviral-exposed children has been recommended by the Public Health Service. This evaluation highlights the contribution of population-based surveillance to the evaluation of potential toxicities associated with maternal antiretroviral use.
Test of Recrudescence Hypothesis for Overwintering of Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis Virus in Gray Catbirds

ABSTRACT Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV; family Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus) epizootics are infrequent, but they can lead to high mortality in infected horses and humans. Despite the importance of EEEV to human and animal health, little is known about how the virus overwinters and reinitiates transmission each spring, particularly in temperate regions where infected adult mosquitoes are unlikely to survive through the winter. One hypothesis to explain the mechanism by which this virus persists from year to year is the spring recrudescence of latent virus in avian reservoir hosts. In this study, we tested the recrudescence hypothesis with gray catbirds (Dumatella carolinensis) captured in northern Ohio (July–August 2007). Birds were experimentally infected with EEEV on 1 October 2007. In January 2008, they were then exposed to exogenous testosterone and/ or extended photoperiod to initiate reactivation of latent EEEV infection. All birds became viremic with EEEV, with mean viremia of 6.0 log10 p...
Rheumatic manifestations associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection

Description des differentes pathologies rhumatismales liees au syndrome d'immunodepression acquise depuis les arthralgies isolees jusqu'aux arthrites septiques en passant par les arthrites reactionnelles, les arthropathies seronegatives, le rhumatisme psoriasique, le syndrome de Sjogren et diverses connectivites. Considerations etiopathogeniques: role des lymphocytes, effets directs ou indirects du virus du SIDA selon les cas. Traitements: place des immunodepresseurs, des antibiotiques et de la zidovudine
The Context of Organizational Behavior: A Conceptual Synthesis for the Educational Administrator

The orchestration of personnel, material resources, and ideas which leads to the harmonious integration of man and organization is a complex task. This paper outlines a basic model of organizational behavior, a model which may assist the educational administrator in translating theoretical concepts into a guide for more enlightened practice.
A path analysis approach to the diagnosis of combinational circuits

A unified procedure to find test patterns for detection and location of stuck-at-type single faults in the combinational circuits is described. A reduction algorithm to obtain a minimal set of detection patterns and a location algorithm to obtain complete location information obtainable by external observation; are presented. The circuit may consider AND, OR, NOT, NOR, NAND, EXCLUSIVE OR and LOGICAL EQUIVALENCE gates.A basis for the article are the single and multi-dimensional path sensitization (1,2) and the graph theoretical approach for system diagnosis (3). The main parts of this work is the construction of sensitization functions and the path analysis table, and the development of the reduction and location algorithms. The procedure is illustrated in detail by two examples.
Embedded planar surface segmentation system for stereo images

An embedded system is developed to segment stereo images using disparity. The recent developments in the embedded system architecture have allowed real time implementation of low-level vision tasks such as stereo disparity computation. At the same time, an intermediate level task such as segmentation is rarely attempted in an embedded system. To solve the planar surface segmentation problem, which is iterative in nature, our system implements a Segmentation–Estimation framework. In the segmentation phase, segmentation labels are assigned based on the underlying plane parameters. Connected component analysis is carried out on the segmentation result to select the largest spatially connected area for each plane. From the largest areas, the parameters for each plane are reestimated. This iterative process was implemented on TMS320DM642 based embedded system that operates at 3–5 frames per second on images of size 320 × 240.
Relationship between Locus of Control, Perceived Group Cohesiveness, and Satisfaction with Coworkers:

To determine if locus of control and perceived cohesiveness of a group had singular and joint effects on experienced satisfaction with coworkers 281 scientists and engineers in 15 Research and Development organizations were tested. Main effects and the interaction of the predictors were significant. Persons scoring internally were less satisfied with coworkers than were those who scored externally. Cohesiveness was significantly related to the criterion and subjects designated as externally oriented demonstrated a stronger relationship between perceived cohesiveness and satisfaction with coworkers than their internally oriented counterparts.
Antigen delivery by α2-macroglobulin enhances the cytotoxic T lymphocyte response

alpha(2)M* targets antigens to APCs for rapid internalization, processing, and presentation. When used as an antigen-delivery vehicle, alpha(2)M* amplifies MHC class II presentation, as demonstrated by increased antibody titers. Recent evidence, however, suggests that alpha(2)M* encapsulation may also enhance antigen-specific CTL immunity. In this study, we demonstrate that alpha(2)M*-delivered antigen (OVA) enhances the production of specific in vitro and in vivo CTL responses. Murine splenocytes expressing a transgenic TCR specific for CTL peptide OVA(257-264) (SIINFEKL) demonstrated up to 25-fold greater IFN-gamma and IL-2 secretion when treated in vitro with alpha(2)M*-OVA compared with soluble OVA. The frequency of IFN-gamma-producing cells was increased approximately 15-fold, as measured by ELISPOT. Expansion of the OVA-specific CD8+ T cell population, as assayed by tetramer binding and [3H]thymidine incorporation, and OVA-specific cell-mediated cytotoxicity, as determined by a flow cytometric assay, were also enhanced significantly by alpha(2)M*-OVA. Furthermore, significant CTL responses were observed at antigen doses tenfold lower than those required with OVA alone. Finally, we also observed enhanced humoral and CTL responses by naive mice following intradermal immunization with alpha(2)M*-OVA. These alpha(2)M*-OVA-immunized mice demonstrated increased protection against a s.c.-implanted, OVA-expressing tumor, as demonstrated by delayed tumor growth and prolonged animal survival. The observation that alpha(2)M*-mediated antigen delivery elicits specific CTL responses suggests the cross-presentation of antigen onto MHC class I. These results support alpha(2)M* as an effective antigen-delivery system that may be particularly useful for vaccines based on weakly immunogenic subunits or requiring dose sparing.
Effects of Alcohol on the Speech of Alcoholics

Speech disfluency resulting from alcohol intoxication was investigated in an experiment using established measures of nonfluency. Male alcoholic subjects (N = 16) read a standardized passage into a...
On the thermal conductivity of dielectric crystals in the millidegree regime

Abstract In the millidegree regime, where thermal phonon wavelengths can greatly exceed the characteristic scale of surface roughness, thermal phonon scattering off boundaries will be nearly specular. Because of the enhanced phonon mean free path, the thermal conductivity is significantly increased. The amount of this increase depends greatly on the nature of the surface roughness.
Logged virtual memory

Loged virtural memory (LVM) provides a log of writes to one or more specified regions of the virtual address space. Logging is useful for applications that require rollback and/or persistence such as parallel simulations and memory-mapped object-oriented databases. It can also be used for output, debugging and distributed consistency maintenance. This paper describes logged virtual memory as an extension of the standard virtual memory system software and hardware, our prototype implementation, and some performance measurements from this prototype. Based on these measurements and the experience with our prototype, we argue that logged virtual memorey can be supported with modest extensions to standard virtual memory systems, provides significant benefit to applications and servers, and is faster than other log-generation techniques.
Fast constructive recognition of black box orthogonal groups

Abstract We present an algorithm that constructively recognises when a given black box group is a nontrivial homomorphic image of the orthogonal group Ω e ( d , q ) for known e, d and q. The algorithm runs in polynomial time assuming oracles for handling SL ( 2 , q ) subgroups and discrete logarithms in F q ∗ .
Kappa opioid receptors stimulate phosphoinositide turnover in rat brain.

Abstract The effects of various subtype-selective opioid agonists and antagonist on the phosphoinositide (Pl) turnover response were investigated in the rat brain. The κ-agonists U-50,488H and ketocyclazocine produced a concentration-dependent increase in the accumulation of IP's in hippocampal slices. The other κ-agonists Dynorphin-A (1-1-13) amide, and its protected analog D[Ala]2-dynorphin-A (1–13) amide also produced a significant increase in the formation of [3H]-lP's, whereas the μ-selective agonists [D-Ala2-N-Me-Phe4-Gly5-ol]-enkephalin and morphine and the δ-selective agonist [D-Pen2,5]-enkephalin were ineffective. The increase in lP's formation elicited by U-50,488H was partially antagonized by naloxone and more completely antagonized by the κ-selective antagonists nor-binaltorphimine and MR 2266. The formation of lP's induced by U-50,488H varies with the regions of the brain used, being highest in hippocampus and amygdala, and lowest in striatum and pons-medulla. The results indicate that brain κ- but neither μ- nor δ-receptors are coupled to the Pl turnover response.
Physical and chemical properties of soybean proteins.

Recent physical and chemical studies are reviewed for Bowman-Birk and Kunitz trypsin inhibitors, agglutinin, and 7S and 11S globulins of soybeans. Differences between gelation properties of crude 7S and 11S globulin fractions are also discussed.
Effects of Radiation and Turbulence on the Diabatic Heating and Water Budget of the Stratiform Region of a Tropical Cloud Cluster

A twi-dimensional kinematic model has been used to diagnose the thermodynamic, water vapor, and hydrometeor fields of the stratiform clouds associated with a mesoscale tropical cloud cluster. The model incorporates ice- and water-cloud microphysics, visible and infrared radiation, and convective adjustment. It is intended to determine the relative contributions of radiation, mycrophysics, and turbulence to diabatic heating, and the effects that radiation has on the water budget of the cluster in the absence of dynamical interactions. The model has been initialized with thermodynamic fields and wind velocities diagnosed from a GATE tropical squall line. It is found that radiation does not directly affect the water budget of the stratiform region, and any radiative effect on hydrometeors must involve interaction with dynamics.
Is functional dyspepsia just a subset of the irritable bowel syndrome

To determine whether functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome are different entities, epidemiological data, factor analysis studies, physiological data and associated psychological symptoms were reviewed. Between 30% and 60% of patients with either diagnosis also meet the criteria for the other diagnosis, a level greater than expected to occur by chance but not sufficient to infer an identity. Most factor analysis studies identify independent clusters of symptoms corresponding to functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome. Visceral hypersensitivity is seen throughout the gastrointestinal tract in both disorders, but the motility patterns seen in association with functional dyspepsia (principally antral hypomotility and delayed gastric emptying) differ from the motility patterns seen in irritable bowel syndrome. Psychological symptoms are similar in these two disorders but are not believed to be aetiological for either of them. Thus, based on a factor analysis of gastrointestinal symptoms and differences in intestinal motility, functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome appear to be different entities.
A patient with recurrent pancreatitis.

Question: A 63-yearold African-American woman with a history of recurrent pancreatitis was admitted with severe right upper quadrant pain radiating to the back. Her medical history was notable for 3 prior episodes of pancreatitis that required hospitalization in 2000, 2006, and 2007. On the day of admission, physical examination revealed a soft abdomen that was tender to palpation in the right upper quadrant with a positive Murphy’s sign. Laboratory data were notable for an amylase of 1203 and a lipase of 2091 in the setting of normal liver function tests (LFTs) and a normal leukocyte count. The CA 19 –9 at this time was 299. The patient then underwent abdominal sonography and computed tomography (Figure A). Magnetic resonance holangiopancreatography was also performed (Figure B). Because of rising LFTs, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography as performed, and a biliary stent was placed. An endoscopic ultrasound was performed at the time of endoscopic retrograde holangiopancreatography (Figure C). Once the acute pancreatitis resolved and the patient was tolerating a regular diet, she was discharged home. At this time, cancer ntigen (CA) 19 –9 was 35. She was subsequently taken to the operating room for a planned pancreaticoduodenectomy, cholecysectomy, and dissection of periportal lymph nodes. The Whipple specimen was removed en bloc with the gallbladder (Figure D). The atient’s postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged home on postoperative day 7. Postoperative laboratory values ere notable for a CA 19 –9 of 23 and carcinoembryonic antigen of 3.3. What is the diagnosis? Look on page 1121 for the answer and see the GASTROENTEROLOGY web site (www.gastrojournal.org) for more information n submitting your favorite image to Clinical Challenges and Images in GI.
Neuroendocrine responses to a novel growth hormone secretagogue, L-692,429, in healthy older subjects.

L-692,429 (L), a novel nonpeptide mimic of GH-releasing peptide (GHRP), is a potent GH secretagogue in animals and young men. To assess the safety and efficacy of L in stimulating GH release in healthy older men and women, 16 subjects were admitted to a randomized, double blind, cross-over comparison of i.v. administered placebo, GH-releasing hormone [GHRH-(1-29)-NH2; 1 microgram/kg] and two doses of L (0.2 and 0.75 mg/kg). Blood samples were obtained at 5-min intervals for 60 min before and 240 min after each dose for measurement of GH; cortisol, PRL, and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) were measured less frequently. Peak and integrated GH concentrations increased significantly after L in a dose-dependent manner. Responses to L at either dose were significantly greater than the response to GHRH: peak GH responses in older men and women were (mean +/- SE; micrograms per L): after placebo, 1.2 +/- 0.2; L (0.2 mg/kg), 16.5 +/- 1.8; L (0.75 mg/kg), 32.2 +/- 3.9; and GHRH, 7.6 +/- 1.3 (P < 0.05, L vs. pl...
Determination of the water-soluble dinitrophenylamino acids by ion-exchange chromatography.

Free lysine and dinitrophenyl /DNP/ derivatives determined quantitatively by ion exchange chromatography
Application of System Reliability Theory in the Seismic Analysis of Structures

Abstract This paper presents a system reliability based analysis method for evaluating the seismic safety/reliability of structures. The seismic analysis procedure developed represents a practical approach in quantifying the risk of structural failure due to seismic hazard. The procedure developed is for framed structures consisting of discrete‐state elements. The probabilistic modeling of the seismic load utilizes the hazard curve of the region and the dynamic amplification factor spectrum matching the local geologic condition. The loadings in the structural components are obtained based on a quasi‐dynamic analysis and the identification and computation of the component and system failure probabilities are implemented in the software package FAILSF. For illustrative purposes, an elevated liquid storage vessel was used for the application of the seismic analysis procedure.
Verrucous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus Following Lye Stricture

A case of verrucous squamous carcinoma is reported occurring at the site of obliteration of the esophagus following ingestion of lye 31 years before. The gross, microscopic, and behavioral characteristics are outlined and compared with those of similar tumors developing in the oral cavity, larynx, and genitalia. The morphology and biologic behavior of this rare tumor are distinctive; growth is slow and invasion is a late event. Early diagnosis and surgical therapy may offer a better prognosis than in the more common varieties of esophageal carcinoma.
Game cloud design with virtualized CPU/GPU servers and initial performance results

Cloud gaming provides game-on-demand (GoD) services over the Internet cloud. The goal is to achieve faster response time and higher QoS. The video game is rendered remotely on the game cloud and decoded on thin client devices such as a tablet computer or a smartphone. We design a game cloud with a virtualized cluster of CPU/GPU servers at USC GamePipe Laboratory. We enable interactive gaming by taking full advantage of the cloud and local resources for high quality of experience (QoE) gaming.We report some preliminary performance results on game latency and frame rate. We find 109 ~ 131 ms latency in using the game cloud, which is 14 ~ 38% lower than 200 ms latency often experienced on a thin local computer. Moreover, the frame rate from the cloud is 25 ~ 35% higher than that of using a client computer alone. Base on these results, we anticipate game cloud has a performance gain or QoS improvement of 14 ~ 38% against that of using a thin client mobile device. Potential applications of the game cloud for high-performance scientific computing are also discussed in the paper.
Protection and Repair after Spinal Cord Injury: Accomplishments and Future Directions

It was an honor for me to present the 2014 G. Heiner Sell Memorial Lecture at the annual American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) meeting in San Antonio. For this purpose, I provided a comprehensive review of the scope of research targeting discovery and translational and clinical investigations into spinal cord injury (SCI) research. Indeed, these are exciting times in the area of spinal cord research and clinical initiatives. Many laboratories and clinical programs throughout the world are publishing data related to the pathophysiology of SCI and new strategies for protecting and promoting recovery in both animal models and humans. For this lecture, several topics were discussed including neuroprotective and reparative strategies, neurorehabilitation, quality of life issues, and future directions. In the area of neuroprotection, pathophysiological events that may be targeted with therapeutic strategies, including pharmacological and targeted temperature management were reviewed. For reparative approaches, the importance of both intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms of axonal regeneration was highlighted. Various cell therapies currently being tested in preclinical and clinical arenas were reviewed as well as ongoing US Food and Drug Administration approved trials for SCI patients. Neurorehabilitation is an evolving research field with locomotive training strategies, electrical stimulation, and brain-machine interface programs targeting various types of SCI. The importance of testing combination approaches including neuroprotective, reparative, and rehabilitative strategies to maximize recovery mechanisms was therefore emphasized. Finally, quality of life issues that affect thousands of individuals living with paralysis were also presented. Future directions and specific obstacles that require attention as we continue to move the SCI field forward were discussed.
Breaching the great wall: peptidoglycan and microbial interactions.

In this Opinion article the authors propose that peptidoglycan is not only an essential structural component of the bacterial cell wall, but is also involved in diverse biological processes, such as microbial pathogenesis, symbiotic associations and a range of interactions between bacteria and other organisms. Once thought to be a process that occurred only in a few human pathogens, release of biologically active peptidoglycan fragments during growth by Gram-negative bacteria controls many types of bacterial interaction, including symbioses and interactions between microorganisms. This Perspective explores the role of peptidoglycan fragments in mediating a range of microbial?host interactions, and discusses the many systems in which peptidoglycan fragments released during bacterial growth might be active.
Contingency analysis using synchrophasor measurements

Abstract This paper presents a new algorithm, using phasor measurements, that allows real-time analysis and correction of contingencies in power systems. The focus is specifically on overloaded lines. Contingency indicative phasor limits are investigated using current magnitude and voltage angle. These limits are applied to a rotating phasor chart. An algorithm which predicts sensitivity is applied to an off-line system in order to determine the buses that need to be monitored. An online system with available phasor measurement unit (PMU) data is used to verify the phasor chart obtained using off-line data. The chart is completed for on-line PMU data, and compared with the off-line chart for further verification.
The map and blend scattered data interpolant on a sphere

Abstract The map and blend technique constructs a function defined over the sphere that interpolates to a discrete sample of measurements at arbitrary locations on the sphere. This technique consists of two different mappings of the sphere to planar domains, solving two corresponding scattered data interpolation problems on the planar domains, and then the interpolant on the sphere is formed by blending these two planar interpolants. If the user has software for solving the scattered data interpolation problem on a planar domain, only a small programming effort is needed to implement the map and blend interpolant on the sphere. Although any interpolant to scattered data on a planar domain can be used in our general technique, we use the multiquadric radial basis method.
Visual discordance cues induce prism adaptation in normal monkeys.

--Contrary to previous reports, adaptation to laterally displaced visual input does require visual perception of the visuomotor mismatch. Using 4 rhesus monkeys as Ss, it was found that reaching errors induced by wearing 20 diopter wedge prisms remained at optically predicted magnitudes for 24 hr., provided that no visual misreaching cues were available. Unrestricted head movement did not provide such cues. However, terminal viewing of the prism induced reaching errors produced dramatic, rapid adaptation. Tactile and proprioceptive discordance cues alone, without visual feedback, were not corrective.
Activation of 5-HT1A receptors in raphe pallidus inhibits leptin-evoked increases in brown adipose tissue thermogenesis

To elucidate the central neural pathways contributing to the thermogenic component of the autonomic response to intravenous administration of leptin, experiments were conducted in urethane-chloralo...
Environmental management in the Caribbean accommodations sector.

Th is study focused on the implementation of environmental management (EM) in the Caribbean accommodations sector based on diff usion of innovations theory. More specifi cally, it examined the status of EM and the diff erences between adopters and non-adopters in terms of hotel characteristics, attitudes to the natural environment, familiarity, and the constraints to implementation. Th is study was conducted among general managers and owners of various types of accommodations within the 19 English-speaking countries of the Caribbean. Data were collected via an online user-administered questionnaire due to the wide geographic range. Th ere were 197 completed questionnaires with at least one respondent from each country. Based on the results, four diff erent levels of EM have been implemented and have diff used to two thirds of the sector throughout the region, though some countries exhibited a higher proportion of adopters. Generally, adopters were small properties 75 rooms or less. Adopters and non-adopters were compared to determine diff erences and there were very few variations between adopters and non-adopters. However, given that adoption of EM is still in the growth segment of the diff usion curve, the number of non-adopters may decrease over time as some of the non-adopters have indicated that they were relatively new properties and/or intended to implement EM in the future. Overall, the results have implications for hoteliers, local and regional hotel associations, and policy makers.
Alfalfa Silage or Hay Versus Corn Silage as the Sole Forage for Lactating Dairy Cows

Abstract In Trial 1, three rations were fed to 21 cows in a 3 × 3 Latin square: 60% alfalfa silage, 60% corn silage, and 79% corn silage (dry matter basis) with the balance from corn and soybean meal. Acid detergent fiber measures indicated alfalfa and corn silage were of excellent quality. Milk production was similar on 60% forage rations but lower on 79% corn silage. Milk fat was reduced on 60% corn silage. In Trial 2, four rations were fed to 16 cows in a 4 × 4 Latin square: 63% alfalfa silage, 60% alfalfa hay, 60% corn silage, and 76% corn silage. Alfalfa forages were higher in acid detergent fiber but corn silage was similar to Trial 1. Dry matter digestibility was highest on 60% corn silage, intermediate on 63% alfalfa silage and 76% corn silage, and lowest on 60% alfalfa hay. Milk production was similar on the diets containing 60 and 63% forage and lower on 76% corn silage. Milk protein concentration was reduced on the alfalfa diets. Highest protein secretion and feed conversion was supported by 60% corn silage. In both trials, potentially digestible neutral detergent fiber from alfalfa was more digestible than that from corn silage, and concentrations of urea in milk and blood were highly correlated. Results indicate high quality alfalfa silage is comparable to corn silage for milk production.
Power to the Principals: Decentralization in Three Large School Districts

School districts have made several attempts at decentralizing. However, decentralization in school districts can mean so many different things that the term has nearly lost its meaning. This paper reports a study of three large urban school districts that, over almost 30 years, adopted nearly identical approaches to decentralizing, granting control to principals and expanding freedom of choice for families. In all three cases, the goal of improving student achievement was achieved, although with a very small sample. These three districts are compared to the three largest public districts in North America. The comparisons reveal that the three decentralized districts attained a high level of principal control over school budgets, staffing, schedule, and teaching methods.
Examining impulsivity as an endophenotype using a behavioral approach: a DRD2 TaqI A and DRD4 48-bp VNTR association study.

Background Research on the genetic basis for impulsivity has revealed an array of ambiguous findings. This may be a result of limitations to self-report assessments of impulsivity. Behavioral measures that assess more narrowly defined aspects of impulsivity may clarify genetic influences. This study examined the relationship between possession of the DRD2 TaqI A and DRD4 48 bp VNTR genetic polymorphisms and performance on a behavioral measure of impulsivity, the delay discounting task (DDT), and three traditional self-report measures.
Arrested oligodendrocyte lineage maturation in chronic perinatal white matter injury

Human periventricular white matter injury (PWMI) is the major form of brain injury and leading cause of cerebral palsy in survivors of premature birth. With advances in neonatal care, a changing spectrum of chronic PWMI has emerged. Whereas focal cystic necrotic lesions (periventricular leukomalacia; PVL) previously predominated,1, 2 recent neuroimaging studies support that focal or diffuse noncystic myelination disturbances and cerebral gray matter atrophy are now the major lesions associated with chronic PWMI.3–6 The critically-ill preterm neonate appears to be particularly susceptible to ischemic white matter injury related to developmentally-regulated susceptibility of preOLs to oxidative stress.2,7 PreOLs are pre-myelinating, mitotically-active late oligodendrocyte (OL) progenitors that generate mature myelinating OLs.7 The high-risk period for PWMI coincides with selective vulnerability of preOLs to oxidative stress.8–11 Early human PWMI lesions display a pronounced but not complete reduction in preOL density,8 which suggests a mechanism for subsequent myelination failure in chronic PWMI. However, the fate of the residual pool of preOLs is unknown. Prior studies have not determined if myelination disturbances are related to persistent depletion of preOLs.12–17 We hypothesized that myelination failure in chronic PWMI is related to acute degeneration of preOLs from hypoxia-ischemia (H–I) that depletes the preOL pool available to generate mature OLs. We employed a preterm-equivalent neonatal rat model of H–I where white matter injury is accompanied by pronounced acute preOL degeneration via a mostly caspase-3-independent mechanism and earlier and later OL stages are markedly more resistant.10,18 We analyzed diffuse non-cystic white matter lesions that resemble those now common in human PWMI. Paradoxically, chronic white matter lesions displayed myelination failure that coincided with reactive astrogliosis and robust regeneration of preOLs. Expansion of the preOL pool occurred despite delayed preOL death that was caspase-3-mediated. These unexpected findings support an alternative explanation for myelination failure in chronic non-cystic PWMI that is related to a persistent arrest of OL maturation at pre-myelinating stages. PreOL maturation arrest may have deleterious consequences for preterm survivors that sustain recurrent hypoxia-ischemia. We demonstrate that persistence of preOLs beyond their normal developmental window markedly increases white matter susceptibility to injury in response to recurrent hypoxia-ischemia.
Puzzling Pain Conditions: How Philosophy Can Help Us Understand Them

University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Abstract Context. Pain is a complicated area of inquiry. To progress in our scientific understanding of the topic, it may be useful to learn how other disciplines are grappling with the subject. Philosophy is one discipline actively engaged in trying to understand pain. Objective. We present one philosophical view of pain to help broaden the understanding of pain in those who are trained to look at it from a biomedical perspective. Discussion. One current philosophical theory of pain is the externalist perceptual theory of pain. This theory states that pain is a form of perception and can be likened to other perceptions, for example, visual, tactile, etc. The way a pain feels can be explained as the relationship between this perception and some bodily damage occurring. and just as other perceptions can be mistaken, such as in a visual illusion, pain can also be inaccurate. We explore how the theory deals with puzzling condi- tions such as phantom limb pain, complex regional pain syndrome, and allodynia. We contrast this view with a competing theory of pain and briefly consider how these philosophical views may impact clinical medicine.
Methionine and Cystine Requirements of Growing Turkeys

Abstract Sulfur amino acid requirements of starting, growing, finishing male Large White turkeys were investigated in three experiments using 3000 turkeys. Requirements were determined by least squares analyses of response curves obtained by supplementing methionine and cystine deficient basal diets with graded levels of DL-methionine and/or L-cystine. Experiments were conducted from 1 to 4, 8 to 12, and 16 to 20 weeks of age. Diets included starch, soybean meal, faba beans, and field peas. Requirements for total sulfur amino acids (TSAA) determined with diets marginally deficient in cystine were .95 to 1.01, .70 to .71, and .43 to .48% of the diet for starting (1 to 4 weeks), growing (8 to 12 weeks), finishing (16 to 20 weeks) turkeys, respectively, in different experiments. On the basis of dietary metabolizable energy, the respective TSAA requirement values (in %/therm) were .298 to .332, .205 to .221, and .128 to .134. Minimum methionine requirements (determined with excess dietary cystine) were .46, .30, and .19% of the diet for starting, growing, and finishing turkeys, respectively. Cystine replacement values, calculated by dividing the maximum usable levels of cystine (TSAA requirements minus methionine requirements) by TSAA requirements were 55, 58, and 57% of the TSAA requirement for starting, growing, and finishing turkeys, respectively.
The Significance of Some Spectral Features in Mating Call Recognition in the Green Treefrog (Hyla Cinerea)

1. Synthetic calls with a waveform periodicity of 300/sec and a bimodal spectrum attracted female green treefrogs as effectively as natural calls. 2. Effectiveness was markedly reduced if the relative amplitude of the two spectral peaks differed by as little as 10 dB. 3. Optimal frequency bands were 900-1100 Hz in the low range and 2700-3300 Hz in the high. 4. Addition of components at 1800 and 2100 Hz rendered the call less attractive. 5. In the absence of a bimodal stimulus, most females responded to a call containing a single spectral peak in the high or low range. 6. Mating call recognition in the green treefrog is compared with that in the bullfrog.
CORPUS-BASED ACQUISITION OF RELATIVE PRONOUN DISAMBIGUATION HEURISTICS

This paper presents a corpus-based approach for deriving heuristics to locate the antecedents of relative pronouns. The technique duplicates the performance of hand-coded rules and requires human intervention only during the training phase. Because the training instances are built on parser output rather than word cooccurrences, the technique requires a small number of training examples and can be used on small to medium-sized corpora. Our initial results suggest that the approach may provide a general method for the automated acquisition of a variety of disambiguation heuristics for natural language systems, especially for problems that require the assimilation of syntactic and semantic knowledge.
Radiation Dose-Volume Effects of Optic Nerves and Chiasm

Publications relating radiation toxicity of the optic nerves and chiasm to quantitative dose and dose–volume measures were reviewed. Few studies have adequate data for dose–volume outcome modeling. The risk of toxicity increased markedly at doses >60 Gy at ≈1.8 Gy/fraction and at >12 Gy for single-fraction radiosurgery. The evidence is strong that radiation tolerance is increased with a reduction in the dose per fraction. Models of threshold tolerance were examined.
Fault fluid composition from fluid inclusion measurements, Laramide age Uinta thrust fault, Utah

Abstract The Laramide age (Late Cretaceous to Early Oligocene) Uinta thrust fault exposed on the northeast flank of the Uinta Mountains provides a fluid conduit for hydrocarbons that enter the Jurassic–Triassic age Nugget Sandstone, chemically reduce the red ferric oxide coloring minerals and bleach the sandstone. Mass spectrometric analyses of gases released from fluid inclusions during crushing of fault-associated calcite veins show fault fluids trapped in inclusions contain substantial CH 4 in addition to CO 2 , N 2 , Ar, H 2 S, and C 2 –C 6 hydrocarbons. The abundance of CO 2 , CH 4 , and other hydrocarbons is used to establish fault fluid redox conditions. Fluid inclusion temperature measurements together with gas analysis show fluids were trapped in inclusions over a range of temperatures and pressures. Temperature and salinity of the Uinta fault fluids determined by fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures corrected for hydrostatic pressure (350–850 bar) and ice melting are 95 to 217 °C and 0 to 11.8 eq. wt.% NaCl (average 3.8%). Vitrinite reflectance temperature estimates are 87 to 152 °C and temperature estimated from overburden thickness and thermal gradient are 142 to 202 °C. Log a H2 (aq) ranges from − 5.3 to−5.7 estimated from CO 2 /CH 4 equilibria at 160 °C. N 2 /Ar ratios in excess of air-saturated water are consistent with derivation of N 2 from thermal decomposition of organic matter, and carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of vein calcite suggest involvement of formation water. The Nugget Sandstone exposed in the fault footwall on the flanks of the Uinta Mountain uplift has been bleached from the moderate reddish brown color produced by hematite that coated the sand grains during early diagenesis to cream and nearly white colors, similar to bleached outcrops that have been observed in the correlative Navajo Sandstone on the Colorado Plateau. Geochemical modeling suggests that ample CH 4 and other hydrocarbons are available to reduce ferric oxide, bleach the sandstone, and precipitate disseminated pyrite and siderite.
Pitting Corrosion of Nickel in Borate and Phosphate Solutions

Abstract The pitting corrosion of nickel covered with films potentiostatically formed at various potentials for 3.6 ks in borate and phosphate solutions of pH 8.42 and pH 11.50 was investigated in 0.5 kmol/m3 NaCl solution at a constant potential of 0.395 V (SHE) higher than a critical pitting potential of 0.295 V in the same solution. The time, τ, obtained from the logarithmic plots for pitting current (ip) or amount of electric charge passed (Qp) vs time curves was found to be the transition time from pit nucleation to pit growth. The τ value was a linear function of potential in the passive region and showed a rapid increase at potential in the secondary passive region, irrespective of anion species and solution pH in which a film was formed. From the linear relationship between r and total film thickness in the passive region, it was proposed that a passive film formed in the solutions consists of two layers: an outer layer of Ni(QH)2 and an inner layer of NiO. Thereby, the pit nucleation was assumed ...