cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stochastic De-repression of Rhodopsins in Single Photoreceptors of the Fly Retina

The photoreceptors of the Drosophila compound eye are a classical model for studying cell fate specification. Photoreceptors (PRs) are organized in bundles of eight cells with two major types – inner PRs involved in color vision and outer PRs involved in motion detection. In wild type flies, most PRs express a single type of Rhodopsin (Rh): inner PRs express either Rh3, Rh4, Rh5 or Rh6 and outer PRs express Rh1. In outer PRs, the K50 homeodomain protein Dve is a key repressor that acts to ensure exclusive Rh expression. Loss of Dve results in de-repression of Rhodopsins in outer PRs, and leads to a wide distribution of expression levels. To quantify these effects, we introduce an automated image analysis method to measure Rhodopsin levels at the single cell level in 3D confocal stacks. Our sensitive methodology reveals cell-specific differences in Rhodopsin distributions among the outer PRs, observed over a developmental time course. We show that Rhodopsin distributions are consistent with a two-state model of gene expression, in which cells can be in either high or basal states of Rhodopsin production. Our model identifies a significant role of post-transcriptional regulation in establishing the two distinct states. The timescale for interconversion between basal and high states is shown to be on the order of days. Our results indicate that even in the absence of Dve, the Rhodopsin regulatory network can maintain highly stable states. We propose that the role of Dve in outer PRs is to buffer against rare fluctuations in this network.
Nutrient stimulation of epidermal growth in developing Artemia

The ability of dietary components to support growth of the epidermal cells was examined in fourth-instar brine shrimp larvae. Larvae fed Encapsulon particles increased in thoracic length by 12% and segment 1 width by 9%. Addition of Artemate, a polyunsaturated fatty acid-rich fish oil extract, to the Encapsulon particles further enhanced larval growth. Equivalent growth was obtained when Artemate was added to albumin or casein and when eicosapentaenoic acid was added to albumin. No growth occurred in larvae fed diets of single polyamino acids, oleic or linoleic acids, or starch. Growth equivalent to that achieved with Encapsulon particles was obtained with Artemate or EPA alone. Tests using fluorescent casein and beads to trace food uptake showed that nutrients entered the gut lumen within 5 min and the haemocoel within 1 h. Fluorescent fatty acids were incorporated into the membranes of the epidermal cells within the first 2 h after feeding. Epidermal cells of larvae fed diets enriched with PUFAs grew in height during the G1a period (late instar III and early instar IV), suggesting that early cell growth may trigger commitment to replication or expansion of the apical surface.
An instructional paradigm for the teaching of computer-mediated communication

This article outlines an instructional paradigm that guides the design of interventions that build skills in computer-mediated communication (CMC). It is applicable to learning at multiple levels of communicative proficiency and aims to heighten awareness, the understanding of the impact of media configurations, the role of cultures and social contexts in mediated communication, and forward research in the service of instructional designs for CMC. This paradigm broadens the scope of Hymes’ (Sociolinguistics, Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1972) theory of communicative competence, which is often applied to foreign language learning contexts, to include online interaction. The paradigm addresses the nuances of mediated communication through recognition of the situations and modes that intersect in online spaces. The paradigm is designed for learning situations that provide time and access to mediated environments where learners develop values for communication skill through practical experiences and structured reflection. This approach to creating instruction has at its core certain values, including risk-taking by participating in unfamiliar contexts, appreciating mediated-communication configurations as unique modalities, and placing CMC skills development within larger sets of pedagogical goals. This instructional paradigm does not assume that verbal fluency, grammatical competence, skill in either writing or speaking, nor membership in any age group translates directly to skill in CMC. The methods presented here have been selected because they build tolerance and appreciation for divergent viewpoints. The methods are (1) building interest by having learners select specific media situations, (2) facilitating collaboration by constructing safe spaces, (3) directly teaching CMC reading skills, (4) using examples and matched non-examples, (5) investigating CMC principles in real world examples through structured discussions, (6) showing the process of different communications’ development, and (7) using roles in discussion designs.
Augustine on the Creation of the World

Few passages of Scripture intrigued Augustine as much as the first sentence of the book of Genesis. In the Confessions, in his treatises on Genesis, in the City of God, and elsewhere he dwells on it and recurs to it, as though he felt he could not exhaust its suggestions and implications. His reflections on this sentence are ample evidence of the acuteness, force, and fecundity of his mind.
Dofetilide Reduces the Frequency of Ventricular Arrhythmias and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Therapies

Dofetilide Reduces VT/VF and ICD Therapies. Background: Patients with an implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and ventricular arrhythmias leading to ICD therapies have poor clinical outcomes and quality of life. Antiarrhythmic agents and catheter ablation are needed to control these arrhythmias. Dofetilide has only been approved for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The role of dofetilide in the control of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with an ICD has not been established. Objective: Evaluate the safety and efficacy of dofetilide in a consecutive group of patients with an ICD and recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) and/ or ventricular fibrillation (VF) after other antiarrhythmic drugs have failed to suppress these arrhythmias. Methods: We studied 30 patients (age 59 ±11; 5 women) with symptomatic VT or VF and ICDs for secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death. These patients had an average of 1.8 ±4.5 episodes of VT/VF per month despite antiarrhymic therapy. Twenty-one patients (70%) had recurrent appropriate ICD therapies prior to initiation of dofetilide, and 9 (30%) VTs below the programmed detection rate of the ICD. Twenty-three patients (77%) had coronary artery disease. Mean ejection fraction was 30 ± 14% and 26/30 (87%) had congestive heart failure. All patients had previously failed 2 ± 1 antiarrhythmic drugs including amiodarone (n = 19) and sotalol (n = 10). Results: During the first month of treatment, 25 patients (83%) had complete suppression of VT/VF and of the 21 patients with ICD therapies 16 (76%) had no therapies during the first month of treatment. During a follow-up period of 32 ±32 months, dofetilide reduced the monthly episodes of VT/VF from 1.8 ±4.5 to 1.0 ±3.5 (P = 0.006). Monthly ICD therapies decreased from 0.9 ± 1.4 to 0.4±1.7 (P = 0.037). In9patientsthatpresentedwithslowVTsundertheICDdetectionzone,dofetilidereducedmonthlyVT/VF episodes from 0.7 ±0.6 to 0.1 ±0.1 (P = 0.01) and 6 (67%) had no further ICD therapies. Dofetilide was discontinued in 13 patients (43%) after 24 ±30 months due to failure to control VT/VF (n = 7), placement of a left ventricular assist device (n = 3), catheter ablation (n = 1), heart transplantation (n = 1), and left ventricular restoration surgery (n = 1). There were 7 documented deaths (2 patients died suddenly; 3 patients of progressive heart failure; and 2 of non-cardiac causes). Conclusions: In patients with an ICD and ventricular arrhythmias, dofetilide decreases the frequency of VT/VF and ICD therapies even when other antiarrhythmic agents, including amiodarone, have previously been ineffective. Recurrences still occur in some patients requiring catheter ablation, mechanical support, or heart transplantation. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 296-301, March 2012) antiarrhythmic drug, dofetilide, heart failure, implantable cardioverter defibrillator, sudden cardiac death, ventricular tachycardia
A technique for photographing vortex positions in rotating superfluid helium

A technique is described for photographing the positions of quantized vortex lines in rotating superfluid helium. Electron bubbles are trapped on the lines, and then extracted through the free surface and accelerated into a phosphor screen. Details of the apparatus are presented, along with examples of the data and the data collection techniques.
Deception in simple voting games

Abstract The calculations of sophisticated voters who successively eliminate undesirable strategies are analyzed in three-person voting games in which one voter with complete information can, as a deceiver, induce the other two voters with incomplete information to vote in such a way as to ensure a better outcome than the deceiver could ensure in a game of complete information. Deception which is “tacit,” wherein a deceiver votes consistently with his announced preference scale, is distinguished from deception which is “revealed,” wherein a deceiver's action deviates from his announced preference scale. Among the conclusions drawn from the study is that revealed deception is generally a more potent tool than tacit deception in securing a more-preferred outcome, and deception opportunities are greater the more disagreement there is among the nondeceivers.
Analogs of 1-phosphonooxy-2,2-dihydroxy-3-oxo-5-(methylthio)pentane, an acyclic intermediate in the methionine salvage pathway: a new preparation and characterization of activity with E1 enolase/phosphatase from Klebsiella oxytoca.

Abstract The methionine salvage pathway allows the in vivo recovery of the methylthio moiety of methionine upon the formation of methylthioadenosine (MTA) from S -adenosylmethionine (SAM). The Fe(II)-containing form of acireductone dioxygenase (ARD) catalyzes the penultimate step in the pathway in Klebsiella oxytoca , the oxidative cleavage of the acireductone 1,2-dihydroxy-3-oxo-5-(methylthio)pent-1-ene ( 2 ) by dioxygen to give formate and 2-oxo-4-(methylthio)butyrate ( 3 ). The Ni(II)-bound form (Ni–ARD) catalyzes an off-pathway shunt, forming 3-(methylthio)propionate ( 4 ), carbon monoxide, and formate. Acireductone 2 is formed by the action of another enzyme, E1 enolase/phosphatase, on precursor 1-phosphonooxy-2,2-dihydroxy-3-oxo-5-methylthiopentane ( 1 ). Simple syntheses of several analogs of 1 are described, and their activity as substrates for E1 enolase/phosphatase characterized. A new bacterial overexpression system and purification procedure for E1, a member of the haloacid dehalogenase (HAD) superfamily, is described, and further characterization of the enzyme presented.
CHEMILUMINESCENCE OF LUMINOL IN THE PRESENCE OF HEMATIN COMPOUNDS.

Abstract A rapid and sensitive method has been deseribed for the determination of micro amounts of hematin iron. The assay is based on the luminescence of alkaline luminol in the presence of hematin iron and hydrogen peroxide. The assay system employs the direct recording of the flash of light produced in the reaction with a Sanborn preamplifier and recorder.
Prepare Electrolyte and Electrolyte/Anode Bi-Layers for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells With Novel Gel-Casting Method

A novel gel-casting method has been developed from general slurry tape casting technique to prepare electrolyte films and bi-layers of electrolyte and anode. This method permits to fabricate electrolyte layer as thin as 10–30 microns after sintering. In the study, a factorial experiment design was performed on the quantities of the gelling agent and the binders for the gel casting of electrolyte thin films and fuel cell bi-layers. The quality of the green films was assessed to determine the optimal amount of the gelling agent and the binders. The films were sintered at different temperatures from 1200°C to 1450°C to test the sinterability of the films. The sintering were also performed with impregnation of Bi(NO3 )3 resulting in a great improvement in densification at lower temperature.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Structural studies provide clues for analog design of specific inhibitors of Cryptosporidium hominis Thymidylate Synthase-Dihydrofolate Reductase

Abstract Cryptosporidium is the causative agent of a gastrointestinal disease, cryptosporidiosis, which is often fatal in immunocompromised individuals and children. Thymidylate synthase (TS) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) are essential enzymes in the folate biosynthesis pathway and are well established as drug targets in cancer, bacterial infections, and malaria. Cryptosporidium hominis has a bifunctional thymidylate synthase and dihydrofolate reductase enzyme, compared to separate enzymes in the host. We evaluated lead compound 1 from a novel series of antifolates, 2-amino-4-oxo-5-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines as an inhibitor of Cryptosporidium hominis thymidylate synthase with selectivity over the human enzyme. Complementing the enzyme inhibition compound 1 also has anti-cryptosporidial activity in cell culture. A crystal structure with compound 1 bound to the TS active site is discussed in terms of several van der Waals, hydrophobic and hydrogen bond interactions with the protein residues and the substrate analog 5-fluorodeoxyuridine monophosphate (TS), cofactor NADPH and inhibitor methotrexate (DHFR). Another crystal structure in complex with compound 1 bound in both the TS and DHFR active sites is also reported here. The crystal structures provide clues for analog design and for the design of ChTS–DHFR specific inhibitors.
WikiLeaks and the protect-ip Act: A New Public-Private Threat to the Internet Commons

The WikiLeaks affair and proposed copyright bills introduced in the Senate are evidence of a new, extralegal path of attack aimed at preventing access and disrupting the payment systems and adver- tising of targeted sites. In this model, the attacker may be a government agency seeking to circumvent constitutional constraints on its power or a private company trying to enforce its interests beyond those afforded by procedural or substantive safeguards in the law. The vector of attack runs through the tar- geted site's critical service providers, disrupting technical services, such as Domain Name System service, cloud storage, or search capabilities; and business-related services, such as payment systems or advertising. The characteristics that make this type of attack new are that it targets an entire site, rather than aiming for removal or exclusion of speci½c offending materials; operates through denial of business and ½nan- cial systems, in addition to targeting technical systems; and systematically harnesses extralegal pressure to achieve results beyond what law would provide or even permit.
Spinal cord vascular malformations with symptoms during menstruation. Report of two cases.

✓ Two patients had the initial complaint of fluctuating paraparesis, which was most evident at menstruation. One patient had a semimonthly fluctuating deficit. Spinal cord compression and ischemia, secondary to the vascular mass, were considered the most likely mechanisms. Blood levels of estrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle may have had a contributory effect. Fluctuating spinal cord deficits associated with a consistent portion of the menstrual cycle should alert the physician to the possibility of an arteriovenous malformation of the spinal cord.
Efficient synthesis of nucleic acids heavily modified with non-canonical ribose 2′-groups using a mutant T7 RNA polymerase (RNAP)

A T7 RNAP mutant (Y639F) which eliminates discrimination of the chemical character of the NTP ribose 2'-group, facilitates incorporation of non-canonicalsubstrates into nucleic acids. However, transcripts containing a high percentage of non-canonical NMPs are poorly extended due to effects of the 2'-substituents on the transcript:template hybrid conformation. We tested the addition of compounds that stabilize A-type helix geometry to the reaction. High concentrations of polyamines, together with other changes in reaction conditions, greatly increased the synthesis of transcripts heavily substituted with non-canonical ribose 2'-groups. Template structures that facilitate promoter opening increased the efficiency of reactions where non-canonical substrates were incorporated during transcription of +1 to +6.
Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 116

Abstract The 1960 version of the Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 116 has been revised on the basis of experimental data received before August 1973, with some later modifications received via private communications. Experimental data concerning the nuclear structure of ten isotopes were compiled and used in the construction of the level schemes and Jπ-assignments.
Arab Spring: from newspaper

Agent-based simulation models are an important methodology for explaining social behavior and forecasting social change. However, a major drawback to using such models is that they are difficult to instantiate for specific cases and so are rarely reused. We describe a text-mining network analytic approach for rapidly instantiating a model for predicting the tendency toward revolution and violence based on social and cultural characteristics of a large collection of actors. We illustrate our approach using an agent-based dynamic network framework, Construct, and newspaper data for the 16 countries associated with the Arab Spring. We assess the overall accuracy of the base model across independent runs for 20 different months during the Arab Spring, observing that although predictions led to several false positives, the model is able to predict revolution before it occurs in three of the four nations in which the government was successfully overthrown.
Inheritance of fatty acid composition in oat (Avena sativa L.) caryopses

F2-derived lines in F3 from matings between dissimilar parents were studied for inheritance of palmitic (three oat matings), oleic (three additional matings), and linoleic acid content (two matings). Inheritance patterns for palmitic and oleic acids were simple or polygenic, depending upon the mating. Linoleic acid content showed polygenic inheritance in all matings. There was no consistent dominance direction for palmitic acid content. Oleic acid showed interallelic interaction and dominance for low content in one mating and no dominance in two matings; linoleic acid showed no dominance. Heritability values indicate that selection for fatty acid composition of oat oil will require replicated tests in several environments, but progress from selection may be expected for palmitic, oleic, and linoleic fatty acids. Correlations among fatty acids revealed that it may be possible to increase both palmitic and linoleic acid and that increase of either will be accompanied by concomitant decreases in oleic and linolenic acids.
Exploring Genotypic and Phenotypic Diversity of Microbes Using Microarray Approaches

Application of genome-scale analysis like DNA microarray technology has revolutionized multiple scientific disciplines. Herein, a next generation of DNA microarrays, a DNA tiling approach that allows high throughput sampling of genomes with single-nucleotide precision, is described. As methods revealing a genomic scale examination of cellular phenotypes offer keen insights for genomic analyses, a high throughput system for whole cell phenotyping is similarly detailed. The merit of these technologies in discriminating pathogenic and commensal strains of microbes is emphasized using the microbe, Escherichia coli, as an example. Deployment of microarray strategies to assess closely-related microbial strains should help address diversity of organisms in their feral settings.
Endosperm Imprinting: A Child Custody Battle?

Summary Endosperm gene imprinting has long been speculated to control nutrient allocation to seeds. For the first time, an imprinted gene directly involved in this process has been identified.
Modeling liver motion and deformation during the respiratory cycle using intensity-based nonrigid registration of gated MR images.

We present a technique for modeling liver motion during the respiratory cycle using intensity-based nonrigid registration of gated magnetic resonance(MR)images. Three-dimensional MRimages of the abdomens of four volunteers were acquired at end-inspiration, end-expiration, and eight time points in between using respiratory gating. The deformation fields between the images were computed using intensity-based rigid and nonrigid registration algorithms. Global motion is modeled by a rigid transformation while local motion is modeled by a free-form deformation based on B- splines. Much of the liver motion was cranial–caudal translation, which was captured by the rigid transformation. However, there was still substantial residual deformation (approximately 10 mm averaged over the entire liver in four volunteers, and 34 mm at one place in the liver of one volunteer). The computed organ motion model can potentially be used to determine an appropriate respiratory-gated radiotherapy window during which the position of the target is known within a specified excursion.
Treatment of men with rising prostate-specific antigen levels following radical prostatectomy

Approximately one-third of patients who undergo radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer will develop a detectable prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level within 10 years. Biochemical recurrence of disease is defined as a rising PSA level in the absence of clinical or radiographic evidence of disease. Management of PSA recurrence is controversial, as prostate cancer may take an indolent course, or it may aggressively develop into metastatic disease. The only potentially curative treatment for biochemical failure after prostatectomy is salvage radiotherapy. Noncurative treatment options include hormone therapy or clinical trials of a novel systemic agent. This article will address management options for a rising PSA level after prostatectomy, as well as ongoing studies exploring molecular biomarkers as prognostic tumor markers and potential targets for prostate cancer therapy.
Relating salmon catch trends to acid deposition and catchment characteristics

Abstract Statistically significant trends in Scottish salmon catches for the 54 mainland fishery districts are identified. Three measures of salmon catch trend are extracted from the linear regression analysis. Water quality is ultimately controlled by atmospheric inputs and the interaction with vegetation, soils and geology; hence, catch trends are related to environmental variables. External and internal confounding factors are considered and reduced, this process compacting the data set into 29 fishery districts. As a statistical precaution, the raw data were checked to see that they did not seriously violate the assumptions of the regression model. Models for prediction and management use are established using regression and discriminant function analysis. The annual percentage change of relative catch trend provided a measure of annual resource change and was, therefore, considered a more practical measure of salmon catch trend for management application. There was a good agreement in the predictor variables entered into the models for both statistical techniques and variables consistently entered into the models are identified and proposed for use in future modelling exercises.
Structure Determination and Interception of Biosynthetic Intermediates for the Plantazolicin Class of Highly Discriminating Antibiotics

The soil-dwelling, plant growth-promoting bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42 is a prolific producer of complex natural products. Recently, a new FZB42 metabolite, plantazolicin (PZN), has been described as a member of the growing thiazole/oxazole-modified microcin (TOMM) family. TOMMs are biosynthesized from inactive, ribosomal peptides and undergo a series of cyclodehydrations, dehydrogenations, and other modifications to become bioactive natural products. Using high-resolution mass spectrometry, chemoselective modification, genetic interruptions, and other spectroscopic tools, we have determined the molecular structure of PZN. In addition to two conjugated polyazole moieties, the amino-terminus of PZN has been modified to Nα,Nα-dimethylarginine. PZN exhibited a highly selective antibiotic activity toward Bacillus anthracis, but no other tested human pathogen. By altering oxygenation levels during fermentation, PZN analogues were produced that bear variability in their heterocycle content, which ...
GAUL: Gestalt Analysis of Unstructured Logs for Diagnosing Recurring Problems in Large Enterprise Storage Systems

We present GAUL, a system to automate the whole log comparison between a new problem and the ones diagnosed in the past to identify recurring problems. GAUL uses a fuzzy match algorithm based on the contextual overlap between log lines and efficiently implements this using scalable index/search. The accuracy and efficiency of the comparison is further improved by leveraging problem set information and noise tolerance techniques. We evaluate GAUL using 4339 customer problems that occurred in all field deployments of an enterprise storage system over the course of a year. Our results show that with human-filtered logs, GAUL can identify the correct problem set 66% of the time among the top10 matches, which is 15% more accurate than the VSM system that uses cosine similarity and 19% more accurate than the ERRCMP system that uses error codes for log comparison. With unfiltered logs, the top10 match accuracy of GAUL is 40%, which is 22% more accurate than VSM and 26% more accurate than ERRCMP.
The frequency of cervical cancer screening. Comparison of a mathematical model with empirical data

The results of a mathematical model used to analyze the frequency of the Pap smear are compared with a recently published independent empirical study of data from large screening programs in Europe and North America. The model's predictions of the reduced incidence of invasive cervical cancer achieved with different screening frequencies match the empirical results closely--the predictions were within 1% of the empirical results for screening frequencies ranging from 1 to 10 years. The data indicate that compared with annual screening, screening every 2, 3, 5, and 10 years retains 99%, 97%, 89%, and 69%, respectively, of the effectiveness measured as a reduction in frequency of invasive cancer. The mathematical model underestimated the effectiveness of screening every 3 years, compared with screening every year.
Cross-linking exogenous bifunctional peptides into fibrin gels with factor XIIIa.

Bi-domain peptides with a factor XIIIa substrate in one domain and a bioactive peptide in another domain were covalently incorporated into fibrin gels during coagulation through the action of the transglutaminase factor XIIIa. The cross-linking characteristics were determined for two bi-domain peptides with factor XIIIa substrates based on fibrinogen, dYRGDTIGEGQQHHLGG-NH_2, and dLRGDGAKDV-NH_2, as well as one bi-domain peptide with a substrate sequence based on α_2-plasmin inhibitor, dLNQEQVSPLRGD-NH_2, and another with a nonbiological, oligolysine substrate, dLRGDKKKKG-NH_2 (substrate domains in italic). Each of these peptides was able to cross-link into the fibrin gels during coagulation, with the peptide containing the factor XIIIa substrate based on α2-plasmin inhibitor being incorporated at levels in excess of 8 mol/mol fibrinogen. The structural characteristics of these peptide-modified gels proved to be the same as those for a native fibrin gel. The bioactivity of the incorporated active factors was tested in a neuronal culture model with day 8 chicken dorsal root ganglia using two bioactive sequences, RGD and DGEA, and one inactive control sequence, RDG. Each of these peptides influenced the extension of neurites from the ganglia as expected, indicating that the incorporated factors retained their activity. With the use of soluble competitive inhibitors, it was shown that this effect was due to the covalently incorporated peptides. Through exploiting the role of factor XIIIa in coagulation, we have developed a method by which to impart the character of nonfibrin proteins, such as extracellular matrix proteins, to fibrin, a biological material with many potential therapeutic and academic applications.
Near Infrared Luminescence and Supramolecular Structure of a Helical Triple-Decker Yb(III) Schiff Base Cluster

The triple-decker complex [Yb3L3(OAc)2Cl](H2O)3(CH3OH)1.5(CH3CN)0.5 (1) is formed from the reaction of H2L, YbCl3·6H2O, and Zn(OAc)2·2H2O in 25% yield (H2L = N,N‘-bis(5-bromo-3-methoxysalicylidene)phenylene-1,2-diamine). The single-crystal X-ray structure of 1 revealed the presence of two independent, chiral molecules of 1 in the asymmetric unit. Intermolecular π−π stacking and C−H···π interactions between both sets of Yb3L3 units create two one-dimensional strands, A and B. Strands of A are cross-linked via Br···H−C hydrogen bonds creating a three-dimensional network that encloses the B strands. Near-infrared (NIR) lanthanide luminescence in both the solid state and the solution is observed in 1.
Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava: prognosis and comparison with leiomyosarcoma of other anatomic sites.

BACKGROUND Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is an uncommon tumor that many believe portends a poor prognosis compared with leiomyosarcoma with similar histology at other anatomic sites. Because of the limited international experience with this disease, the optimal management of these patients is unknown. METHODS From October 1978 to January 1997, 14 patients with leiomyosarcoma of the IVC were treated at the University of California-Los Angeles Medical Center. Wide resection was attempted in all patients. The characteristics of each patient were documented and compared with those of patients with leiomyosarcoma of the stomach (n = 13), small intestine (n = 18), retroperitoneum (n = 19), and uterus (n = 10) who were treated during the same time period. RESULTS Age, gender, tumor size, tumor grade, and lymph node status did not impact survival of patients with leiomyosarcoma of the IVC. Patients with positive surgical margins fared significantly worse (P < 0.03) compared with those who underwent complete resection. Radiation therapy diminished local recurrence and may improve median survival (6 months [n = 2] vs. 51 months [n = 12]) in this patient population. Patients who received combined chemotherapy and radiation lived longer than those who did not (P < 0.05). The 5-year cumulative survival rate (Kaplan–Meier method) was 53% for patients with leiomyosarcoma of the IVC, 47% for those with leiomyosarcoma of the stomach, 43% for those with leiomyosarcoma of the small intestine, 56% for those with leiomyosarcoma of the retroperitoneum, and 65% for those with leiomyosarcoma of the uterus. CONCLUSIONS Despite having a tumor that originates from the IVC, patients with this tumor type can enjoy reasonably long term survival. It appears that these patients benefit from radiation therapy to control local disease. Survival of these patients is no worse than of patients with leiomyosarcomatous lesions of other origin. Aggressive surgical management combined with adjuvant therapy offers the best treatment for patients with leiomyosarcoma of the IVC. Cancer 1999;85:1077–83. © 1999 American Cancer Society.
Coping Strategies in the Workplace: Relationships with Attributional Style and Job Satisfaction.

Abstract This paper examined the relationships between workplace coping strategies, occupational attributional style, and job satisfaction among a sample of 190 nurses employed with a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. As an occupational group, nurses experience high levels of chronic workplace stressors. Participants completed a questionnaire packet containing the Brief COPE, the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ)-Short Form, and the Occupational Attributional Styles Questionnaire (OASQ). Results indicated that a positive occupational attributional style was associated with greater use of problem solving/cognitive restructuring coping styles and less use of avoidance coping styles to deal with workplace stress. This pattern of coping strategies was also associated with greater job satisfaction. Further analyses indicated that the relationship between occupational attributional style and job satisfaction was mediated by the use of problem solving/cognitive restructuring, and avoidance coping strategies to deal with workplace stress. Implications for workplace interventions and work adjustment counseling are discussed.
The plasma kinetics of sulbactam-ampicillin administered to calves by the intramuscular and subcutaneous routes.

Abstract Sulbactam-ampicillin combines ampicillin, a broad spectrum beta-lactam antibiotic, with sulbactam, an irreversible beta-lactamase inhibitor. The sulbactam component prevents the degradation of ampicillin by several major classes of bacterial beta-lactamases and restores the activity of ampicillin against most strains of bacteria in which resistance is mediated by beta-lactamase production. A crossover study was conducted in Friesian calves of 98–119 kg bodyweight in which the plasma kinetics of sulbactam-ampicillin adminstered by the intramuscular and subcutaneous routes were defined, and the plasma kinetics of ampicillin derived from sulbactam-ampicillin and a commercially available formulation of ampicillin trihydrate were compared. Subsequent to both intramuscular and subcutaneous administration of sulbactam-ampicillin, peak plasma concentrations of sulbactam and ampicillin were recorded two hours post-injection. Higher peak plasma concentrations of both sulbactam and ampicillin were achieved by the subcutaneous route of administration and, for ampicillin, the difference between the two routes was statistically significant (p
Communication competence and performance: A research and pedagogical perspective

Current conceptualizations of the construct of “communication competence” are examined and found to be problematic. It is argued that “communication competence” must be distinguished from “communication performance.” Neither is seen as a reliable predictor of the other. It is suggested that both research and pedagogy must make clear distinctions among cognitive, affective, and psychomotor elements if they are to lead to improvements in either competence or performance.
Avian Pox in a Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

Avian pox has been reported in at least 60 species of birds belonging to 20 different families. However, poxvirus infection in birds of prey is apparently uncommon. On 18 May 1981, an adult male red-tailed hawk was found on the US Department of Energy's Arid Land Ecology Reserve in Benton County, Washington. The bird was incapable of flight and was extremely thin. Nodular proliferations were noted on both feet and cutaneous scab-like lesions around the beak and eyes. The bird was killed in the field and submitted promptly to the diagnostic laboratory for necropsy. This report of pox infection in a free-living adult red-tailed hawk represents one of the few such cases reported in the US. The potential for spread of the virus to other hawks may occur particularly during the nesting season when an infected adult could conceivably pass the virus to a mate and nestlings by direct contact or fomites. Little is known of the natural of avian pox infection in birds of prey. In other birds it is generally considered mild and self-limiting; however, eye lesions resulting in impaired vision may lead to starvation.
Modeling the fat tails in Asian stock markets

Abstract We test whether stock returns in the Asian markets are characterized by infinite variance or just large variance, which has an important implication for the applicability of many financial models in Asian market data. Employing the extreme value framework, we find that the Asian index return distributions are fat-tailed but have finite variance. However, the tails of the distributions behave similarly to those in the U.S. and the MSCI World index returns, suggesting that any financial model or risk management tool that incorporates the second moment would work equally well for the Asian market data as it does for developed market data. We apply the Value-at-Risk method using Asian and U.S. data and find no significant difference in performance.
Reply to the comments on "Simulation of large magnetic islands: A possible mechanism for a major tokamak disruption"

We maintain that there was no qualitative error made in our calculations. As originally reported in our Letter [Phys. Rev. Lett. 39, 1618 (1977)], the width at which exponential growth ceases and algebraic growth starts depends on the values of $S$. As $S$ decreases, the transition from exponential to algebraic growth occurs at a larger island width. The coarse grid gave the right qualitative result, but gave a small error in the critical value of $S$ for which the growth is always exponential. Since the comparison with experiment was made using large-$S$ results and algebraic growth, this error has no effect on the conclusions of our orginal Letter.
Optimal control in cancer therapy by simultaneous consideration of normal and cancer cell proliferation kinetics

An exponential stability framework is offered for formulating the problem of designing optimal strategies for cancer chemotherapy by simultaneous consideration of proliferation kinetics of both normal and cancer cells modelled by a multicompartmental state-space representation. This provides a better and more general formulation than the one recently proposed by Swan.
Notional number agreement in English

To investigate the contested role of notional number in English subject-verb agreement, we used a sentence completion task to examine agreement with minimally different subject noun-phrases, such as the gang on the motorcycles and the gang near the motorcycles. These contrasting phrases biased different notional construals of collective nouns, such as gang, which are normally ambiguous between plural (distributed) and singular (collected) construals. With subjects biased toward spatial distribution, such as gang on motorcycles, more plural verbs occurred in speakers' sentence completions than in sentence completions with a bias toward spatial collection, such as gang near motorcycles. This offers strong evidence regarding both the existence and the magnitude of notional effects on subject-verb number agreement in English.
Communication-optimal iterative methods

Data movement, both within the memory system of a single processor node and between multiple nodes in a system, limits the performance of many Krylov subspace methods that solve sparse linear systems and eigenvalue problems. Here, s iterations of algorithms such as CG, GMRES, Lanczos, and Arnoldi perform s sparse matrix-vector multiplications and ?(s) vector reductions, resulting in a growth of ?(s) in both single-node and network communication. By reorganizing the sparse matrix kernel to compute a set of matrix-vector products at once and reorganizing the rest of the algorithm accordingly, we can perform s iterations by sending O(log P) messages instead of ?(s?log P) messages on a parallel machine, and reading the on-node components of the matrix A from DRAM to cache just once on a single node instead of s times. This reduces communication to the minimum possible. We discuss both algorithms and an implementation of GMRES on a single node of an 8-core Intel Clovertown. Our implementations achieve significant speedups over the conventional algorithms.
Military Coups and Military Rule in Latin America

Contrary to the prognostications of authors writing as late as 15 years ago, both military coups and direct military rule in Latin America are shown to have undergone a sudden, sustained, region-wi...
Perceptions of driver distraction among teenage drivers

Teenage drivers have been shown to have some of the highest crash risks. Crash data provide some insights on factors related to crash likelihood, but rarely capture all issues that can arise from driver distraction. The goal of this study was to assess teenage drivers' opinions and perceptions of driver distraction. A survey of 1893 Iowa teenagers was conducted to determine and compare the frequency of engagement in distracting activities while driving to their opinions of what they actually consider to be distractions. A cluster analysis was conducted based on their indicated engagement in distracting activities with three groups emerging and classified as INFREQUENT, MODERATE, and FREQUENT engagers. Across all cluster groups, the majority (over 80%) indicated that they considered text messaging to be a distracting task. However, those clustered as FREQUENT engagers still reported a high level of texting while driving even though they considered this task to be distracting. A binary logistic regression model (adjusted for miles driven and license type) showed that FREQUENT and MODERATE engagers were more likely to be involved in a crash when compared to INFREQUENT engagers. The study demonstrates that not all teenagers place themselves at risk. There are subgroups of teenage drivers that often engage in activities they know are distracting, potentially putting themselves in danger. However, this is not the case for all teenage drivers and it is important to target interventions appropriately as well as foster a culture of safety both in schools and at home. Keywords: Driver distraction;
Good genes and parental care in human evolution

Prior to agriculture, human societies were small, with little variation for good genes sexual selection (GGSS) to work on. Across cultures, variation in paternal care makes the benefits of GGSS highly variable. Despite these caveats, female preferences for traits like male body symmetry suggest one reason for female short-term mating is gene shopping.
PATR-A AND B, THE ORTHOLOGUES OF HLA-A AND B, PRESENT HEPATITIS C VIRUS EPITOPES TO CD8+ CYTOTOXIC T CELLS FROM TWO CHRONICALLY INFECTED CHIMPANZEES

Common chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) show a disease progression similar to that observed for human patients. Although most infected animals develop a chronic hepatitis, virus persistence is associated with an ongoing immune response, for which the beneficial or detrimental effects are uncertain. Lines of virus-specific cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes (CTL) have been previously established from liver biopsies of two common chimpanzees chronically infected with HCV-1. The viral epitopes recognized by six lines of CTL have been defined using synthetic peptides and shown to consist of 8 to 9-residue peptides derived from various viral proteins. Five of the epitopes derive from sequences that vary among strains of HCV. The majority of the corresponding variant epitopes from different HCV strains were either recognized less efficiently or not at all by the CTL, suggesting their response may have limited potential for controlling replication of HCV variants. Complementary DNAs encoding class I alleles of the two common chimpanzees, Patr-A, -B, and -C were cloned, sequenced, and transfected individually into a class I-deficient human cell line. Analysis of peptide presentation by the class I transfectants to CTL identified the Patr class I allotypes that present the six epitopes defined here and an additional epitope defined previously. The assignment of epitopes to class I allotypes based upon analysis of the transfected cells correlates precisely with the segregation of antigen-presenting function within a panel of common chimpanzee cell lines and the expression of class I heavy chains as defined by isoelectric focusing. Five of the HCV-1 epitopes are presented by Patr-B allotypes, two epitopes are presented by a Patr-A allotype, and none is presented by Patr-C allotypes.
Psychoacoustic active noise control based on delayless subband adaptive filtering

In this paper we present a new psychoacoustic active noise control system based on delayless subband adaptive filtering structure. Human hearing has selective sensitivity for different frequency bands. Motivated by this psychoacoustic fact, noise weighting is incorporated into active noise control system. In this new system, the noise weighting is decomposed into subband forms for computation efficiency and performance improvement. Loudness, one psychoacoustic measure, is used to evaluate the system performance. Simulation on multi-tone signal shows improvement in noise cancellation and reduction in computation complexity.
ACTIVITY OF SOME NEW TRIIODOTHYRONINE ANALOGS IN THE TADPOLE.

The biological activity of several T3 analogs (3′-alkyl substituted diiodothyronines) has been tested in the tadpole, and the following order of activity obtained: L-3′- isopropyl - T2 >L -T3 >L - 3′ - ethyl -T2 >L- 3′- methyl-T2>thyroxine. These relative activities are in agreement with data obtained using the rat as the test animal. Available preparations of D-T3 had one half and those of D-T4 had one third the activity of their respective L-forms. The ratio of the activity of these compounds when injected to that when immersed was large, indicating that, as predicted, compounds with alanine side chains are poorly absorbed when administered by the immersion technique. Two 3′-alkyl substituted acetic acid analogs showed relatively less activity and low ratios of injected to immersed activity. (Endocrinology 75: 561, 1964)
Thoracoscopic-assisted diaphragmatic hernia repair using a thoracic rib resection.

Objective— To describe the surgical treatment of a dorsal diaphragmatic hernia in an adult horse using thoracic rib resection aided by thoracoscopy and a flank incision. Study Design— Case report. Animal Population— One client-owned horse. Results— A six-year-old Dutch warmblood gelding was admitted for colic-associated colonic incarceration in a diaphragmatic hernia. Seven weeks after the initial colic surgery, the gelding underwent surgery to repair the defect. Thoracoscopy and a flank incision were used to identify the location of the hernia and the subsequent site of rib resection. The stomach was adhered to the edges of the defect, leaving only a small residual hole. Resection of the 14th rib provided excellent exposure of the defect and closure of the remaining hernia. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance— Thoracic rib resection can provide access to diaphragmatic hernias in adult horses. Thoracoscopy or a flank incision, or both, may aid in determining which rib is best resected.
HURRICANE KATRINA SEDIMENT SLOWED ELEVATION LOSS IN SUBSIDING BRACKISH MARSHES OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER DELTA

Although hurricanes can damage or destroy coastal wetlands, they may play a beneficial role in reinvigorating marshes by delivering sediments that raise soil elevations and stimulate organic matter production. Hurricane Katrina altered elevation dynamics of two subsiding brackish marshes in the Mississippi River deltaic plain by adding 3 to 8 cm of sediment to the soil surface in August 2005. Soil elevations at both sites subsequently declined due to continued subsidence, but net elevation gain was still positive at both Pearl River (+1.7 cm) and Big Branch (+0.7 cm) marshes two years after the hurricane. At Big Branch where storm sediments had higher organic matter and water contents, post-storm elevation loss was more rapid due to initial compaction of the storm layer in combination with root-zone collapse. In contrast, elevation loss was slower at Pearl River where the storm deposit (high sand content) did not compact and the root zone did not collapse. Vegetation at both sites fully recovered within one year, and accumulation of root matter at Big Branch increased 10-fold from 2005 to 2006, suggesting that the hurricane stimulated belowground productivity. Results of this study imply that hurricane sediment may benefit subsiding marshes by slowing elevation loss. However, long-term effects of hurricane sediment on elevation dynamics will depend not only on the amount of sediment deposited, but on sediment texture and resistance to compaction as well as on changes in organic matter accumulation in the years following the hurricane.