cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physiological regulation in infants of women with a mood disorder: examining associations with maternal symptoms and stress

Background: The offspring of mothers with mood disorders may evidence increased behavioral problems as early as preschool; however, no study to date has examined psychophysiological characteristics during infancy, particularly among offspring of mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Elucidating psychobiological mechanisms of risk early in development is critical to inform prevention and early intervention efforts. Method: This study compared physiological and behavioral responsivity in 6-month-old infants (N = 329) of mothers with lifetime histories of bipolar disorder (BD, n = 44), major depressive disorder (MDD, n = 244), or no history of Axis I disorders (CTL, n = 41). Infant respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) was measured in a laboratory stressor paradigm. Measures of infant affect and behavior during mother–infant interaction, current maternal depressive symptoms, and exposure to stressful life events were examined with respect to diagnostic group and RSA. Results: Groups did not differ in baseline RSA or infant affect measures. However, during the stressor task, infants of mothers with BD evidenced increases in RSA, while infants of MDD and CTL mothers evidenced decreases in RSA. Though levels of postnatal stress and current levels of maternal depressive symptoms differed among groups, neither of these factors predicted infant psychophysiological responses. Conclusions: At 6 months of age, infants of mothers with BD show differences in psychophysiological regulation. These differences cannot be accounted for by perinatal outcome, current maternal depressive symptoms, or exposure to stressful life events, and thus may reflect endophenotypic markers of psychopathological risk. Keywords: Bipolar, depression, RSA, heart rate, vagal, stress, infants, human.
Diversity and Population Structure in a Geographic Sample of Tomato Accessions

Domesticated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) dispersed out of Latin America nearly 500 yr ago, but little is known about its global patterns of genetic diversity. To gain insight into these patterns we assembled a panel of 30 accessions that sampled five major geographic regions. All accessions were evaluated for highly heritable horticultural traits and nutritional content. Lycopene (mean = 10.41 ug g ―1 ), total soluble solids (mean Brix = 6.03%), and vitamin C (mean = 50.77 ug ml ―1 ) varied two- to three-fold among accessions. Lycopene was somewhat low while Brix was typical of tomato varieties. Amplicons from 49 genes (22.9 kbp in total) were sequenced in two plants per accession. Nucleotide diversity (π = 0.00112) was slightly lower than a panel of landraces but higher than a set of fresh-market and processing varieties. South America was the only region with a significantly higher mean π relative to the other geographic regions. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) of gene frequencies showed that large fractions of the total variation were partitioned into accessions within regions (36%) and individuals within accessions (61%). Therefore, targeted sampling of accessions and individual plants, irrespective of geographic source, is an optimal strategy to obtain diverse genotypes. Population structure analysis defined two clusters that were not associated with a priori groups. South American germplasm is promising as a source of new alleles but no geographic region should be viewed as a poor source of tomato genetic variation.
Reliability of maternal recall and reporting of child births and deaths in rural Egypt.

Demographic indicators such as fertility rates and infant mortality rates are often measured in census surveys by interviewing mothers to obtain their pregnancy histories and child deaths. The validity of such surveys depends upon accurate recall of histories truthful reporting of events and understanding of the questions posed. To measure the reliability of maternal reporting two census surveys conducted in a rural Egyptian population were compared. Women between 15 and 55 years of age residing in 20 villages were asked their histories of live births stillbirths and child deaths. An identical set of questions was posed 2 years later. Twice-monthly home visits were conducted in the intervening 2-year interval to identify accurately any new births stillbirths and deaths occurring in the population. The maternal reports from the first census were combined with the prospectively identified births stillbirths and deaths and compared with the maternal reports from the second census. For 1502 women the discrepancies in the total number of births stillbirths and child deaths reported between the two surveys were 0.6% 4% and 0.6% respectively. However when the consistency of responses was analysed the proportion of women with discordant responses was 10% 6% and 7% for the same measures. These results suggest that despite the large number of births and deaths that women may experience in developing countries maternal interviews provide reliable responses that can be used to estimate mortality and fertility rates in settings where vital records are incomplete or unreliable. (authors)
Cardiac volvulus: plain film recognition of an often fatal condition.

Cardiac volvulus is a rare complication of right intrapericardial pneumonectomy. Because most patients require prompt surgical treatment, it is seldom documented radiographically. We recently had the opportunity to study a patient in whom this complication occurred. The pathophysiology of this entity is briefly discussed. Chest radiographs are the single most important test to confirm this event when it is suspected.
Medical Device Design for Six Sigma: A Road Map for Safety and Effectiveness (El-Haik, B.S. and Mekki, K.S.; 2008) [Book reviews]

The intent of this book is to provide an in-depth treatment of design for six sigma (DFSS) and related technologies to assist in safe, efficacious medical device design. The book consists of 20 chapters, each beginning with an overview of the material to be covered and ending with the summary statements relevant to that material. Appendixes cover terminology, references, and necessary statistical tables. This book, written by two authors with a large amount of DFSS experience, is overly intense for most undergraduates. This book is therefore recommended for early-level graduate courses in medical device design or as a reference text.
A study of the superplasticity of Ti-451 alloy and its applications

Abstract In this paper, the main properties of the high-strength, high-toughness, titanium alloy Ti-451, together with its applications, are introduced. By means of high-temperature tensile tests and metallographic examination, it has been found that this alloy exhibits superplasticity within the temperature range of 790–870°C, whilst the optimimum superplastic temperature range is 820–840 For some particular conditions, i.e. a test temperature of 820°C and an initial strain-rate of 0.833 × 10 −3 s −1 , the elongation to fracture of the alloy can reach 500%. The flow strength of the alloy is about 50 MPa. The outer case of an aircraft flight recorder (“black box”) has been formed in Ti-451 alloy by the method of superplastic bulging with some drawing, where following suitable heat-treatment, the properties of the case meet the requirements of Standard TSO-C51a.
Rationality, irrationality, and the policy formulation process in large organizations

In almost all discussions of the processes of organizational planning and policy formulation, one is eventually confronted with two contradictory points of view. On one side are the “rationalists,” who conceptualize the planning process by postulating a set of theoretical premises, analytical techniques, and organizational relationships which can be linked together to achieve a formally structured, logical system of policy formulation. Parties supporting this view typically argue that the planning process can be improved by the development of new theories and analytical tools to implement such a normative system. On the other side are the “intuitionalists”; those promoting this viewpoint generally start with a list of “horror” stories pointing out the deficiencies, nonuses, and misuses of the so‐called rational systems. These parties generally reach the conclusion that more skill and more judgment — not formal approaches or new analytical methodology — are the essential elements in improving the planning process.
Boolean Algebra Applied to Determination of Universal Set of Knowledge States

incomplete knowledge in a domain. In this study, the foundations of a combinatorial algorithm that will provide the universal set of states of knowledge will be introduced. Each state of knowledge is represented by a list of “can/cannot” cognitive tasks and processes (called cognitively relevant attributes or latent variables) which are usually unobservable. A Boolean descriptive function will be introduced as a mapping between the attribute space spanned by latent attribute variables and the item response space spanned by item score variables. The Boolean descriptive function plays the role of uncovering the unobservable content of a black box. Once all the possible classes are retrieved explicitly and expressed by a set of ideal item response patterns which are described by a “can/cannot” list of latent attributes, the notion of bug distributions and statistical pattern classification techniques will enable us to diagnose students' states of knowledge accurately. Moreover, investigations on algebraic properties of these logically-derived ideal-response patterns will provide an insight into the structures of the test and dataset. Diagnosing cognitive errors possessed by examinees can be considered as a pattern classification problem which is designed to classify a sequential input of stimuli into one of several predetermined groups. The sequential inputs in our context are item responses and the predetermined groups are various states of knowledge resulting from misconceptions or different degrees of incomplete knowledge in a domain. In this study, the foundations of a combinatorial algorithm that will provide the universal set of states of knowledge will be introduced. Each state of knowledge is represented by a list of “can/cannot” cognitive tasks and processes (called cognitively relevant attributes or latent variables) which are usually unobservable. A Boolean descriptive function will be introduced as a mapping between the attribute space spanned by latent attribute variables and the item response space spanned by item score variables. The Boolean descriptive function plays the role of uncovering the unobservable content of a black box. Once all the possible classes are retrieved explicitly and expressed by a set of ideal item response patterns which are described by a “can/cannot” list of latent attributes, the notion of bug distributions and statistical pattern classification techniques will enable us to diagnose students' states of knowledge accurately. Moreover, investigations on algebraic properties of these logically-derived-ideal-response patterns will provide an insight into the structures of the test and dataset.
Semiclassical stability of asymptotically locally flat spaces

Constructing a partition function for Euclidean quantum gravity by using asymptotically locally flat instantons will result in an imaginary contribution to the partition function. A negative eigenmode for the differential operator giving a one-loop contribution to the partition function has been found for the Taub-bolt instanton. Zero modes for the Taub-bolt and Taub-NUT instantons are discussed.
Plasmon Resonant Enhancement of Photocatalytic Water Splitting Under Visible Illumination

We demonstrate plasmonic enhancement of photocatalytic water splitting under visible illumination by integrating strongly plasmonic Au nanoparticles with strongly catalytic TiO2. Under visible illumination, we observe enhancements of up to 66× in the photocatalytic splitting of water in TiO2 with the addition of Au nanoparticles. Above the plasmon resonance, under ultraviolet radiation we observe a 4-fold reduction in the photocatalytic activity. Electromagnetic simulations indicate that the improvement of photocatalytic activity in the visible range is caused by the local electric field enhancement near the TiO2 surface, rather than by the direct transfer of charge between the two materials. Here, the near-field optical enhancement increases the electron-hole pair generation rate at the surface of the TiO2, thus increasing the amount of photogenerated charge contributing to catalysis. This mechanism of enhancement is particularly effective because of the relatively short exciton diffusion length (or minority carrier diffusion length), which otherwise limits the photocatalytic performance. Our results suggest that enhancement factors many times larger than this are possible if this mechanism can be optimized.
The Surgical Learning and Instructional Portfolio (SLIP) as a Self-Assessment Educational Tool Demonstrating Practice-Based Learning

Purpose Time constraints on the teaching and evaluation of residents continue to alter the way in which medical knowledge must be imparted and assessed. Lifelong learning is a component of the practice-based learning competency. A portfolio is one way to assess practice-based learning, but its use is unfamiliar to most surgical programs. The authors describe the evolution of the Surgical Learning and Instructional Portfolio (SLIP) into a worthwhile educational tool. Methods In March 2001, the authors began a program to encourage residents to develop a case-based portfolio to document their experience and demonstrate acquisition of knowledge in caring for a variety of surgical diseases. The monthly case topic was chosen by the resident and reported using a template: case history, supporting diagnostic studies, differential diagnosis, final diagnosis with ICD-9 coding, management options, treatment used, 3 lessons learned, embellishment of 1 lesson, and 2 articles supporting the experience. Initially, cases were submitted to the program coordinator and reviewed every 6 months with a faculty advisor to provide feedback. Results After the first 18 months of this program, resident compliance was less than 50%, satisfaction was low, and formal review did not occur. In July 2004, a single faculty member became responsible for evaluating and providing feedback on the monthly SLIPs. The assignments were handled electronically with feedback delivered within the month via e-mail. SLIP quality as measured by resident compliance and satisfaction improved. Conclusion These SLIPs have matured into a valuable educational tool satisfying multiple ACGME competencies. This portfolio system required direct faculty feedback to become successful.
Management of security policies for mobile devices

This paper discusses management of security policies for mobile devices. The increasing use of mobile devices in the workplace is covered, as well as new software applications that allow employees to use their mobile devices to increase their productivity. Various risks to businesses arising from compromised mobile devices are discussed. Mobile devices are defined, as are some common attack vectors currently present in most devices. A framework for creating mobile device security policies is discussed, and sample policy language for mobile devices is offered.
Spatiotemporal Regulation of a Legionella pneumophila T4SS Substrate by the Metaeffector SidJ

Modulation of host cell function is vital for intracellular pathogens to survive and replicate within host cells. Most commonly, these pathogens utilize specialized secretion systems to inject substrates (also called effector proteins) that function as toxins within host cells. Since it would be detrimental for an intracellular pathogen to immediately kill its host cell, it is essential that secreted toxins be inactivated or degraded after they have served their purpose. The pathogen Legionella pneumophila represents an ideal system to study interactions between toxins as it survives within host cells for approximately a day and its Dot/Icm type IVB secretion system (T4SS) injects a vast number of toxins. Previously we reported that the Dot/Icm substrates SidE, SdeA, SdeB, and SdeC (known as the SidE family of effectors) are secreted into host cells, where they localize to the cytoplasmic face of the Legionella containing vacuole (LCV) in the early stages of infection. SidJ, another effector that is unrelated to the SidE family, is also encoded in the sdeC-sdeA locus. Interestingly, while over-expression of SidE family proteins in a wild type Legionella strain has no effect, we found that their over-expression in a ∆sidJ mutant completely inhibits intracellular growth of the strain. In addition, we found expression of SidE proteins is toxic in both yeast and mammalian HEK293 cells, but this toxicity can be suppressed by co-expression of SidJ, suggesting that SidJ may modulate the function of SidE family proteins. Finally, we were able to demonstrate both in vivo and in vitro that SidJ acts on SidE proteins to mediate their disappearance from the LCV, thereby preventing lethal intoxication of host cells. Based on these findings, we propose that SidJ acts as a metaeffector to control the activity of other Legionella effectors.
The interaction between opening call auctions and ongoing trade: Evidence from the NYSE

Abstract We investigate the impact that the opening batch has on trading for the remainder of the day and what impact the prior day's trading has on the subsequent day's open. Traders have an interest in these trading impacts as their trades may cluster around opening and closing time periods. We find that the larger the volume in the opening batches, the greater the volume across the day. We also find the prior day's volume being positively related to the subsequent day's opening volume. Combined, these results suggest a continuing pattern of trade volume rolling from one day to the next. Additionally, we find that the spread in the continuous market can be partially attributed to the price change in the opening batch. We also find evidence of opening trade price reversals. Combined with the absence of price reversals following the opening trade, we conclude that the opening process may be more efficient at handling information than the continuous market.
Evaluation of the Quality of Cookies Supplemented with Distillers' Dried Grain Flours

Distillers' dried gram (DDG) samples collected from various distillers differed in protein, ash, fat, and fiber contents, and colors. When distiller's dried gram flour (DDGF) was mixed with wheat flour at a 15 or 25% (w/w) replacement level for making sugar cookies, the replacement could decrease the width and thickness and darken the color of sugar cookies. DDGF was found suitable as a supplement for preparing dark-colored cookies to enrich their protein and fiber contents. Sensory evaluations of 15% DDGF supplemented bar, spice and chocolate cookies showed that they were all acceptable.
Memories that last in old age: motor skill learning and memory preservation

Using an automated test panel, age-associated declines in learning, remembering and performing a novel visuomotor task were assessed in 497 normal adults ranging from 18 to 95 years old. As predicted, task performance times slowed with increasing age in the cross-sectional portion of the study. However in the subsequent longitudinal study, while motor learning was significantly slower in adults over 62 years old, motor memory was pristinely preserved in normal adults from 18 to 95 years old. When tested 2 years after the first training session and without intervening rehearsal, mean performance times were retained and continued to improve by 10% in young adults and 13% in aged adults, reflecting long lasting preservation of motor memories. While the maximum lifetime of an unpracticed, novel motor memory in humans is not known, the present study suggests that new motor memories can be retained for at least 2 years without rehearsal in normal aged adults. This age-resistant component of motor memory stands in contrast to the well-known decrements in other motor and cognitive processes with human aging.
Bootstrap methods using prior information

SUMMARY Bayesian analysis is subject to the same kinds of misspecification problems which motivate the robustness and nonparametric literature. We present a method of incorporating prior information which performs well without direct knowledge of the error distribution. This is accomplished by replacing the likelihood in Bayes's formula by a bootstrap estimate of the sampling density of a robust estimator. The flexibility of the method is illustrated by examples, and its performance relative to standard Bayesian techniques is evaluated in a Monte Carlo study.
Neuropathology Review, 2nd Edition

Neuropathology Review, 2nd Edition Richard Prayson Humana Press, Totowa, NJ, Copyright © 2008 252 pages Remember when you did your first neuropathology rotation and the neuropathologist asked you what type of infectious organism those small round blue structures were scattered throughout the slide of your autopsy case brain or spinal cord? You likely remember those sneaky questions and hopefully talked to the resident who preceded you to find out the tricks. Dr. Prayson's text, entitled Neuropathology …
Formulation-dependent toxicokinetics explains differences in the GI absorption, bioavailability and acute neurotoxicity of deltamethrin in rats.

The acute neurotoxicity of pyrethroid insecticides varies markedly with the dosage vehicle employed. The objective of the present study was to assess the influence of two common vehicles on the bioavailability and toxicokinetics (TK) of a representative pyrethroid insecticide, deltamethrin (DLM), to determine whether the vehicles influence toxic potency by modifying the chemical's TK. Adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered DLM iv or po, either by dissolving it in glycerol formal (GF) or by suspending it in Alkamuls (AL). Groups of rats received 10mg DLM/kg by gavage in each vehicle, as well as 2 mg/kg in GF or 10mg/kg in AL by iv injection. Serial blood samples were collected over 96 h and analyzed for their DLM content by HPLC. In a second experiment, plasma, brain, fat, liver and lung DLM concentrations were measured 2h after giving 10mg DLM/kg orally in GF or AL. In a third experiment rats received 2 or 10mg DLM/kg iv in AL or 2mg DLM/kg iv in GF. Lung DLM content was determined 15 min post injection. DLM particle size in both formulations was measured under a phase contrast microscope. DLM appeared to be completely dissolved in GF, while particle size ranged from 50 microm in AL. The bioavailability of DLM in the aqueous AL suspension was approximately 9-fold lower than in GF (1.7% versus 15%). Blood C(max) (0.95+/-0.27 versus 0.09+/-0.01 microg/ml) and AUC(0)(48h) (5.49+/-0.22 versus 0.61+/-0.14 microg.h/ml) were markedly higher in the GF gavage group. Tissue DLM levels were also significantly higher in the GF animals at 2h. The 10mg/kg po and 2mg/kg iv doses of DLM in GF produced moderate salivation and slight tremors. Rats receiving the insecticide in AL were asymptomatic. IV injection of the AL suspension resulted in trapping of much of the dose in the pulmonary capillaries. As anticipated, the injected suspension had a longer half-life and slower clearance than did the GF formulation. In summary, limited dissolution of the highly lipophilic DLM particles in the AL suspension severely limited DLM's GI absorption, bioavailability, target organ deposition and acute neurotoxic potency.
Rotating shadowband photometer measurement of atmospheric turbidity: a tool for estimating visibility

Abstract The rotating shadowband photometer (RSP) is a simple, low-cost instrument that automatically measures the total, diffuse and direct solar illuminance. On clear days, the direct component yields a measure of the total column extinction. This extinction calculation compares favorably with an independent and more conventional determination of extinction. The column extinction measurements can be corrected for the effect of stratospheric aerosols, thereby yielding the lower atmosphere extinction coefficient. This extinction coefficient should be useful in assessing small changes in atmospheric visibility over the long term.
Ultrasonic and Electromagnetic Waves for Nondestructive Evaluation and Structural Health Monitoring

Abstract Use of ultrasonic and electromagnetic waves is continuously increasing for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) and structural health monitoring (SHM) in civil, aerospace, electrical, mechanical and bioengineering applications.Between bulk waves and guided waves, the latter is becoming more popular for NDE/SHM applications because the guided waves can propagate long distances and reach difficult to access regions. For inspcting porous and some non-porous materials in which the ultrasonic waves attenuate fast, electromagnetic waves such as THz (terahertz) radiations have been found to be very usful. Recent advances in ultrasonic and electromagnetic wave applications forNDE and SHM are discussed in this paper.
Stomatococcus mucilaginosus meningitis in a patient with multiple myeloma following autologous stem cell transplantation

Bacterial meningitis is an unusual complication of bone marrow transplantation. We report a case of Stomatococcus mucilaginosus meningitis in a patient with multiple myeloma shortly after an autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplant. The infection resolved with a combination of intravenous penicillin G and chloramphenicol, and intrathecal vancomycin.
Use of a Naphthalene-Based Binder in Injection Molding Net-Shape Titanium Components of Controlled Porosity

We have recently developed a naphthalene-based binder system for use in powder injection molding (PIM) of ceramic and metallic materials. The use of a binder that can be removed via sublimation offers several unique advantages relative to the typical thermoplastic and/or thermoset binders employed in PIM. One of these is that essentially no volume change takes place during debindering. This offers a relatively facile method of introducing porosity into a net-shape part of potentially complex geometry. In the study described in this paper, the effects of powder loading and subsequent isostatic compaction on the size and amount of porosity in the components produced by this technique were investigated. In general, it was found that the amount of porosity is inversely proportional to the initial concentration of metal powder in the PIM feedstock. Likewise, average pore size displays a similar relationship with powder loading.
Representing Social Movements: Advocacy and Activism in Northwest Bookstores:

Much social movement research examines the role played by the individual. Studies of this type have focused almost exclusively on the individual's involvement in collective action. This article highlights individual-level behavior outside of social movement organizations. Using results from a recent survey of booksellers, I show that advocacy for the gay and lesbian rights movement and the environmental movement is expressed in several ways within bookstores. Booksellers who are advocates of a social movement, especially the gay and lesbian rights movement, are more likely to carry large numbers of movement-related books, create separate sections of these books, and display these books prominently in their stores. Individuals, acting apart from social movement organizations, aid in the diffusion of movement ideology to the populace at large. I discuss the structural and economic conditions under which this process most readily occurs.
Managing traumatic stress responses among clinicians: Individual and organizational tools for self-care:

There is a growing interest in conceptual frameworks related to preventing stress responses among mental health clinicians working with survivors of trauma. The following paper comprehensively comp...
Cardiac Defects Are Infrequent Findings in Individuals With 8p23.1 Genomic Duplications Containing GATA4

Background—The GATA4 gene is critical to regulating myocardial differentiation and function. Haploinsufficiency of GATA4 is strongly associated with congenital heart defects (CHD). However, it is i...
Fatigue and retention of Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3 thin film capacitors with Pt and RuO2 electrodes

Abstract Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3 (PZT) thin films were deposited on Pt and RuO2 coated Si and MgO substrates using the sol-gel process. Fatigue and retention tests were performed on these samples. The films grown on RuO2 electrodes are fatigue-free up to nearly 1011 cycles. Their retention life-time extrapolates to more than 1010 seconds. The fatigue behavior of films grown on Pt electrodes depends on the PZT film orientation. Highly oriented (001) PZT films maintain 50% of their initial P∗r-P⁁r value after 1011 cycles. The randomly oriented films maintain less than 3% of the initial P∗r-P⁁r value after 1011 cycles. However, the retention life-time of both highly oriented and randomly oriented PZT films grown on Pt electrodes extrapolates to higher than 1011 seconds. It appears that fatigue of films grown on RuO2 is mainly controlled by the film/electrode interface. On the other hand, fatigue of films grown on Pt appears to depend on both the film/electrode interface as well as on bulk effects.
Pre-layout parasitic estimation in interconnects

Interconnect lengths have become a dominant factor in the design of integrated circuits. The parasitics associated with the interconnects account for a significant part of signal delay. The estimation of interconnect lengths prior to placement helps in determining the delay early in the design phase. In this paper, a methodology to estimate the interconnect lengths prior to layout, is presented. The approach is heuristics based. Various layouts have been studied to observe typical placement and routing patterns. The methodology uses the gate level netlist and properties of the cells obtained from the standard cell libraries for the estimation. The results have been compared with the detailed routing wire lengths obtained after synthesis of the gate level netlist. Cadence Buildgates was used for syntheises and Cadence Encounter used for placement and routing of the circuits. The methodology presented is independent of the technology being used. However the wire lengths will vary with the use of different placement and routing tools
Evaluation of colony size and cage space for laying hens (Gallus domesticus) using fuzzy decision analysis.

Abstract A replicated experiment (two, 1-yr trials) was conducted to define colony size and cage space requirements of laying hens. DeKalb XL pullets, 19 wk of age, were randomly assigned to cages sized 1548, 3097, and 4645 cm2 at population densities of 2, 3, 4, or 5 hens. Membership values for fuzzy decision analysis were related to the performance of birds as measured by hen-day production and cumulative mortality. The decision analysis showed the crossover point between an uncrowded and a crowded condition was 3 birds in both trials for cage sizes of 1548 and 3097 cm2 based on maximum decision values. The crossover point for the largest cage area (4645 cm2) differed between 3 and 4 birds for Trials 2 and 1, respectively. This suggested crowding pressure was not as great when more space was available to the birds.
Infection and infarction. Acute viral (and other) infection in the onset, pathogenesis, and mimicry of acute myocardial infarction

Because a prospective controlled investigation showed a highly significant association of the onset of acute myocardial infarction with signs of preceding respiratory infection, the clinical, laboratory, experimental, and epidemiologic evidence more directly supporting this association was analyzed. Inflammation--specifically of infectious, usually viral, origin--has been shown by several lines of evidence to be capable of precipitating or mimicking clinical myocardial infarction. Myocardial biopsy is producing rapidly increasing confirmation that myocarditis can perfectly mimic clinical acute myocardial infarction. Coronary arteritis, with implications for vasospasm and thrombosis, is being increasingly demonstrated when deliberately sought in necropsy and biopsy material. Effects of blood-borne infectious agents, particularly viremia, on platelets in vivo and in vitro--aggregation and lysis with release of vasoactive substances--have even more serious potential for coronary thrombosis and vasospasm. It is not clear whether such mechanisms operate entirely independently or are more potent in high-risk patients, particularly in view of the demonstrable hypercoagulable state in many patients with coronary disease. Because of the great importance of confirming precipitating mechanisms for acute myocardial infarction (as well as its frequent mimic, myocarditis), intensive investigation of the relation between infection and infarction has important preventive and therapeutic implications.
Current research on public perceptions of nanotechnology.

This review explores research on public perceptions of nanotechnology. It highlights a recurring emphasis on some researchers’ expectations that there will be a meaningful relationship between awareness of nanotechnology and positive views about nanotechnology. The review, however, also notes that this emphasis is tacitly and explicitly rejected by a range of multivariate studies that emphasize the key roles of non-awareness variables, such as, trust, general views about science, and overall worldview. The review concludes with a discussion of likely future research directions, including the expectation that social scientists will continue to focus on nanotechnology as a unique opportunity to study how individuals assess risk in the context of relatively low levels of knowledge.
Analysis of Genes Negatively Regulated by Phytochrome Action in Lemna gibba and Identification of a Promoter Region Required for Phytochrome Responsiveness

As a step to understanding how the photoreceptor phytochrome acts to change the transcription of specific nuclear genes in Lemna gibba, we wish to compare promoter elements involved in negative regulation by phytochrome with those involved in positive regulaion. We have isolated three genes negatively regulated by phytochrome, designated NPR (negatively phytochrome regulated) genes (P.A. Okubara, E.M. Tobin [1991] Plant Physiol 96:1237–1245), and we have now sequenced two of these. The promoters of both contain some sequence motifs that are identical with motifs from other genes. We used a transient assay in L. gibba to demonstrate that approximately 1.7 kb pairs of the NPR1 promoter and 1.1 kb pairs of the NPR2 promoter could confer negative phytochrome regulation to a luciferase reporter gene. Deletion analysis of the NPR2 promoter showed that sequences between -208 and -82 from the transcription start were necessary for negative phytochrome regulation. However, this region was not sufficient to confer negative regulation by phytochrome to another promoter. Additionally, we noted that this region showed no similarity to a region identified as important for the negative regulation of the oat phyA promoter (W.B. Bruce, X.-W. Deng, P.H. Quail [1991] EMBO J 10:3015–3024), but it does contain a sequence element found in several other kinds of genes, including ones positively regulated by phytochrome. The deduced amino acid sequences of NPR1 and NPR2 were found to share similarities with many abscisic acid-induced or seed-abundant proteins. Thus, these genes, like other phytochrome-regulated genes, might respond to multiple regulatory signals.
Finite element solution of heat transfer for gas flow through a tube

An analysis was performed of the axial temperature distribution along the wall of a circular tube. A transparent gas in forced convection enters a tube with variable heat-transfer coefficient, internal radiation exchange, and axial wall heat conduction. The nonlinear integro-differential equation describing the process of energy exchange was solved using the Galerkin finite element technique with isoparametric, quadratic elements. An arbitrary heat generation distribution in the tube wall as a function of axial position can be taken into this model, depending on the particular physical problem; however, only the uniform and the sinusoidal heat generation cases have been considered here. The tube interior surface was assumed to be black, and the gas was considered transparent. This type of problem is of practical interest for the high-temperature, gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) core flow and for tubular heat-exchanger flow. In an HTGR the coolant is helium and can be well approximated as a transparent gas. Similar problems also arise for flow of a gas through electrically heated tubes and coils. Results for only the uniform heat generation case are available from other numerical techniques, and the results using the finite element method were found to be in good agreement. Nomenclature Cp = specific heat at constant pressure, J/kg°C D = tube diameter, m h = convective heat-transfer coefficient, W/m2 °C h^ = fully developed convective heat-transfer coefficient, .' W/m2°C k = thermal conductivity, W/m °C L = tube length, m q = heat added at wall per unit inside area and time, W/m2 R = tube radius, m T = temperature, °C u = mean gas velocity, m/s X,Z = axial length coordinates measured from the tube entrance, m p = density of gas, kg/m3 a . = Stefan-Boltzmann constant, W/m2K4
A closed loop model of pulmonary gas exchange

Objectives: To model acute lung injury (ACI), we previously developed a partial differential equation (PDE) model of gas exchange and inflammation on a respiratory unit (RU). We increase biological fidelity by incorporating metabolism. We explored the computational and theoretical challenges of this more realistic closed loop system of gas exchange under inflammatory stress. Method: First, we added the loss of O2 and gain of CO2 during metabolism to the PDE model creating time-dependent boundary conditions on pulmonary arterial PO2 and PCO2. Then, the PDE model for gas exchange and inflammation on a single RU was simplified mathematically to a system of ordinary differential equations. The model was reduced such that arterial PO2 and PCO2 reflect the combined effects of metabolism and inflammation. Computational gains allow themodel to operate in a closed loop, and with more biological fidelity. Results: The output of the ordinary differential equation full lung model (multiple linked RUs) matches those seen in the PDE full model when heterogeneity of the lung is introduced via a normal distribution of tidal volumes over the total number of RUs. The reduced form of the RU allows heterogeneity in the full lung by changing both alveolar ventilation and perfusion. As with the previous model, we see the shunting is a major contributor to the reduction of PO2 during inflammation. Conclusions: The reduction of our previous model is the final step in developing a useable multiscale model of the lung. The results of this reduced multi-RU model are comparable to time courses of ACI. This model will be linked with an organ model to explore the spread of inflammation.
The GABAergic parafacial zone is a medullary slow wave sleep-promoting center

Work in animals and humans has suggested the existence of a slow wave sleep (SWS)-promoting/electroencephalogram (EEG)-synchronizing center in the mammalian lower brainstem. Although sleep-active GABAergic neurons in the medullary parafacial zone (PZ) are needed for normal SWS, it remains unclear whether these neurons can initiate and maintain SWS or EEG slow-wave activity (SWA) in behaving mice. We used genetically targeted activation and optogenetically based mapping to examine the downstream circuitry engaged by SWS-promoting PZ neurons, and we found that this circuit uniquely and potently initiated SWS and EEG SWA, regardless of the time of day. PZ neurons monosynaptically innervated and released synaptic GABA onto parabrachial neurons, which in turn projected to and released synaptic glutamate onto cortically projecting neurons of the magnocellular basal forebrain; thus, there is a circuit substrate through which GABAergic PZ neurons can potently trigger SWS and modulate the cortical EEG.
Attenuated Virulence of a Burkholderia cepacia Type III Secretion Mutant in a Murine Model of Infection

Type III secretion systems are utilized by a number of gram-negative bacterial pathogens to deliver virulence-associated proteins into host cells. Using a PCR-based approach, we identified homologs of type III secretion genes in the gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia cepacia, an important pulmonary pathogen in immunocompromised patients and patients with cystic fibrosis. One of the genes, designated bscN, encodes a member of a family of ATP-binding proteins believed to generate energy driving virulence protein secretion. Genetic dissection of the regions flanking the bscN gene revealed a locus consisting of at least 10 open reading frames, predicted to encode products with significant homology to known type III secretion proteins in other bacteria. A defined null mutation was generated in the bscN gene, and the null strain and wild-type parent strain were examined by use of a murine model of B. cepacia infection. Quantitative bacteriological analysis of the lungs and spleens of infected C57BL/6 mice revealed that the bscN null strain was attenuated in virulence compared to the parent strain, with significantly lower bacterial recovery from the lungs and spleens at 3 days postinfection. Moreover, histopathological changes, including an inflammatory cell infiltrate, were more pronounced in the lungs of mice infected with the wild-type parent strain than in those of mice infected with the isogenic bscN mutant. These results implicate type III secretion as an important determinant in the pathogenesis of B. cepacia.
Looking ahead to our next generation of nurse leaders: Generation X Nurse Managers.

Aim(s) The present inquiry identifies elements of professional success, and personal and professional fulfilment as defined by Generation X Nurse Managers. Background Although work concerning Nurse Manager preparation has been documented, there is a paucity of research specific to the generation of nurses next in line to assume leadership roles. Method(s) For the purposes of this study, a qualitative approach was used to develop insight regarding Generation X Nurse Managers and their perspectives on professional success, personal and professional fulfilment, and organisational environments that are conducive to loyalty and long-term professional commitment. Results Findings from this study reinforced those identified in the original study in that inflexible organisational cultures, a lack of opportunities for upward mobility, the need to be available at all times, feeling stereotyped or undervalued can all be barriers to members of Generation X perceptions of professional success and professional and personal fulfilment. Conclusions and implications for nursing management Study findings suggest that Generation X Nurse Managers would benefit from initiatives focused on better preparation for the Nurse Manager role, openness to innovative scheduling alternatives and tailored support and feedback.
The CspA family in Escherichia coli: Multiple gene duplication for stress adaptation

CspA was originally found as the major cold-shock protein in Escherichia coli, consisting of 70-amino-acid residues. It forms a beta-barrel structure with five anti-parallel beta-strands and functions as an RNA chaperone. Its dramatic but transient induction upon cold shock is regulated at the level of transcription, mRNA stability and translation. Surprisingly, E. coli contains a large CspA family, consisting of nine genes from cspA to cspI. Phylogenetic analysis of these gene products and the cold-shock domain of human YB-1 protein reveals that there are two major branches in the evolution of CspA homologues: one branch for CspF and CspH, and another for all the other known CspA homologues from both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The locations of these genes on the E. coli chromosome suggest that the large CspA family probably resulted from a number of gene duplications and, after subsequent adaptation, resulted in specific groups of genes that respond to different environmental stresses; for example, cspA, cspB and cspG for cold-shock stress and cspD for nutritional deprivation. The E. coli CspA family will be discussed in terms of their structures and functions, and their gene structures and regulation.
Major Life Events: Their Personal Meaning, Resolution, and Mental Health Significance*

Researchers have employed varying strategies in an effort to better understand variation in responses to stress. This article argues that crisis theory makes a useful contribution to these efforts, particularly when studying variable response to major life events that are of high threat potential. Regression analyses of depressive symptomatology, mastery, and self-esteem in a community sample of adults (n = 1,542) provide preliminary support for the central tenets of crisis theory that specify the conditions under which experienced events are minimally and maximally hazardous. The results also offer mixed support for the proposition that successfully resolved crises can even yield emotional and coping benefits. Longitudinal models and further development of survey-based measures for distinguishing the occurrence of a crisis and assessing the adequacy of its resolution are needed to more thoroughly test crisis theory.
Analysis and experimental testing of a permanent magnet eddy-current brake

Conventional friction braking suffers severe limitations. The concept of integrated contactless magnetic brake was invented to remedy to these problems. The integrated brake combines a conventional friction brake with an eddy-current brake. The present work includes an analysis of the physics of the eddy-current brake by the means of a two-dimensional analytical model and a three-dimensional finite element analysis. An experimental validation is described and the results are compared to those provided by the finite element analysis.
Some Results on Distributed Source Coding for Interactive Function Computation

A two-terminal interactive distributed source coding problem with alternating messages for function computation at both locations is studied. For any number of messages, a computable characterization of the rate region is provided in terms of single-letter information measures. While interaction is useless in terms of the minimum sum-rate for lossless source reproduction at one or both locations, the gains can be arbitrarily large for function computation even when the sources are independent. For a class of sources and functions, interaction is shown to be useless, even with infinite messages, when a function has to be computed at only one location, but is shown to be useful, if functions have to be computed at both locations. For computing the Boolean AND function of two independent Bernoulli sources at both locations, an achievable infinite-message sum-rate with infinitesimal-rate messages is derived in terms of a 2-D definite integral and a rate-allocation curve. The benefit of interaction is highlighted in multiterminal function computation problem through examples. For networks with a star topology, multiple rounds of interactive coding is shown to decrease the scaling law of the total network rate by an order of magnitude as the network grows.