cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human Disc Nucleotomy Alters Annulus Fibrosus Mechanics at Both Reference and Compressed Loads

Nucleotomy is a common surgical procedure and is also performed in ex vivo mechanical testing to model decreased nucleus pulposus (NP) pressurization that occurs with degeneration. Here, we utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to study internal 3D annulus fibrosus (AF) deformations after partial nucleotomy and during axial compression by evaluating changes in internal AF deformation at reference loads (50N) and physiological compressive loads (~10% strain). Intact grade II L3-L4 discs before and after nucleotomy were subjected to identical mechanical testing and imaging protocols. Internal disc deformation fields were calculated by registering MR images captured in each loading state (reference and compressed) and each condition (intact and nucleotomy). Comparisons were drawn between the resulting three deformation states (intact at compressed load, nucleotomy at reference load, nucleotomy at compressed load) with regards to the magnitude of internal strain and direction of internal displacements. Under compressed load, internal AF axial strains averaged -18.5% when intact and -22.5% after nucleotomy. Deformations of intact discs under compressed load oriented in-plane, whereas deformations after nucleotomy oriented axially. For intact discs, in-plane components of displacements under compression loads were oriented radially outward and circumferentially. After nucleotomy, in-plane displacements oriented radially inward under reference load and were not significantly different from the intact state at compressed loads. Re-establishment of outward displacements after nucleotomy indicates increased axial loading restores the characteristics of internal pressurization. Results may have implications for the recurrence of pain, design of novel therapeutics, or progression of disc degeneration.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Septic Internal Jugular Thrombophlebitis: Updates in the Etiology and Treatment of Lemierre's Syndrome.

Abstract Background Lemierre’s syndrome is classically precipitated by oropharyngeal infections that progress to suppurative internal jugular vein thrombophlebitis via direct extension. Metastatic pneumonia from septic emboli is nearly universal and bacterial seeding frequently results in disseminated septic foci. Fusobacterium necrophorum is the most commonly reported etiologic agent, though methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an emerging pathogen and a myriad of oropharyngeal flora must be covered until blood cultures return. Prompt identification is paramount to minimizing morbidity. Empiric treatment with antibiotics exhibiting predominantly anaerobic activity has been standard, but now may be insufficient, given an evolving microbial landscape. Anticoagulation continues to be debated. Case Report We describe an uncommon presentation of Lemierre’s syndrome in a diabetic patient secondary to MRSA, where the only identifiable source of entry was atraumatic post-auricular cellulitis. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Given the evolving landscape of organisms implicated in septic internal jugular thrombophlebitis, empiric treatment should entail consideration of MRSA. Patients at an elevated risk include those who are undomiciled or incarcerated, injection drug users, human immunodeficiency virus–positive, and have recently been hospitalized or completed a course of antibiotics. The existing evidence evaluating empiric anticoagulation is low-powered and retrospective and would benefit from randomized controlled trials. Although it does not appear valuable for most, those with thrombus extension, persistent bacteremia, or central venous thrombosis may benefit.
At the Intersection of Computing- and Control-Theory: A Tutorial on Liveness Enforcing Supervisory Policies for Arbitrary Petri Nets

We present a tutorial-introduction to the synthesis of Liveness Enforcing Supervisory Policies (LESPs) for Discrete-Event Dynamic Systems (DEDS) modeled by Petri-Nets (PNs). The tutorial is aimed at researchers unfamiliar with the area, and the objective is to develop a working knowledge of concepts and results from the area. We start by introducing PNs as a modeling tool for DEDS. We motivate the liveness problem through examples. Following this, we present relevant theoretical results on the computational aspects of LESP synthesis for PN models of DEDS, along with other results and methods. We conclude the paper by listing some new directions in the area.
Thanos: High-Performance CPU-GPU Based Balanced Graph Partitioning Using Cross-Decomposition

As graphs become larger and more complex, it is becoming nearly impossible to process them without graph partitioning. Graph partitioning creates many subgraphs which can be processed in parallel thus delivering high-speed computation results. However, graph partitioning is a difficult task. In this work, we introduce Thanos, a fast graph partitioning tool which uses the cross-decomposition algorithm that iteratively partitions a graph. It also produces balanced loads of partitions. The algorithm is well suited for parallel GPU programming which leads to fast and high-quality graph partitioning solutions. Experimental results show that we have achieved 30x speedup and 35% better edge cut reduction compared to the CPU version of the popular graph partitioner, METIS, on average.
O16 Farm-to-Fork on a College Campus: Evaluating Impact of Free Weekly Meals on Dietary Habits and Meal Planning Behaviors

Background College food insecurity impacts a significant number of students, potentially having a negative effect on academic success, physical and mental health, and/or wellness. For this reason, interventions that address college food insecurity are vital. Objective To evaluate the demographics and food security status of students utilizing the Farm-to-Fork free weekly lunch initiative at a large land-grant institution and to assess the meal planning and dietary habits of these college students. Study Design, Setting, Participants A 3-semester, cross-sectional study collecting online survey responses from a convenience sample of students participating in the Farm-to-Fork free weekly lunch program. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Primary survey data was used in Pearson chi-square tests to analyze the associations between food security status, demographics, behaviors, and program evaluation findings. Results The survey response rate was 31%. Of the 397 students who completed the online survey, 61% reported experiencing some level of food insecurity with only 13% utilizing campus or community resources to access food. Food security status was significantly associated with daily consumption of 5 food groups (P Conclusion The Farm-to-Fork program provides students with a free well-balanced lunch and educational resources to address issues surrounding college food insecurity and to support student success and wellness. However, there is a need to improve students’ eating habits and utilization of resources for food in times of crisis. Funding University of Kentucky Student Opportunity Grant from The Food Connection, University of Kentucky Student Sustainability Council Grant.
Advanced Pointing Imaging Camera (APIC) for planetary science and mission opportunities

Abstract The Advanced Pointing Imaging Camera (APIC) is designed to obtain high-resolution imaging data to measure a target’s geophysical and geodetic properties. The development of APIC originates from NASA’s Homesteader program of technology development for candidate New Frontiers missions. The unique science enabled by APIC derives from its ability to simultaneously take images of the target and star field, allowing high-precision camera pointing knowledge with each high-resolution target image. APIC is small (28 ​cm ​× ​18 ​cm ​× ​24 ​cm encompassing volume), light-weight (6 ​kg total), and moderate in power (13 ​W maximum) while being high performance and robust to long missions in deep space. APIC incorporates two imagers, one narrow-angle camera (NAC) and one wide-angle camera (WAC) that can operate simultaneously. Both cameras utilize the CMOS-based Mars 2020 Engineering Camera technology with an option of either clear or Red-Green-Blue colors and have wide apertures to enable short exposures and thus perform at a wide range of targets. The NAC has a pixel resolution of 18 ​μrad and 4° field of view and the WAC has a pixel resolution of 82 ​μrad and 18° field of view. APIC also has two gimbals, allowing rapid camera pointing updates without the need to change the spacecraft attitude; thus, not interfering with other onboard sensors or spacecraft operations. Both gimbals are capable of compensating for relative spacecraft-target motion (i.e., image motion compensation) with an angular speed of up to 30°/s (i.e., 0.5 ​rad/s). Many of APIC components are commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS), or adapted from other NASA flight programs, which makes APIC very competitive in cost and gives it a high technical maturity. APIC’s high-resolution images enable the determination of high-accuracy topography for geologic studies. This paper presents details of APIC’s characteristics and functionalities as well as specific science objectives that APIC data can address, such as measuring a geometric tidal flexing through estimating the tidal Love number, h2 and l2, and small rotational effects, such as libration and precession, of natural satellites and small bodies (i.e., asteroids and comets) that are key to exploring a planetary body’s interior. Improved knowledge of spacecraft orbit via landmark tracking using the APIC data would also improve the recovery of low-degree gravitational parameters such as k2. In this paper, the performance of APIC is presented by showing how well the tidal deformation and libration measurements can be recovered with realistic mission scenarios and configurations.
Defining the Reference Range for Left Ventricular Strain in Healthy Patients by Cardiac MRI Measurement Techniques: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND. Echocardiography is the primary noninvasive technique for left ventricular (LV) strain measurement. MRI has potential advantages, although reference ranges and thresholds to differentia...
Prevalence of Cervical Artery Dissection Among Hospitalized Patients With Stroke by Age in a Nationally Representative Sample From the United States.

Objective To test the hypothesis that the prevalence of cervical artery dissection remains constant across age groups, we evaluated the relationship between age and cervical artery dissection in patients with stroke using a nationally representative sample from the United States. Methods We used inpatient claims data included in the 2012–2015 releases of the National Inpatient Sample (NIS). We used validated ICD-9-CM codes to identify adults hospitalized with ischemic stroke and a concomitant diagnosis of carotid or vertebral artery dissection. Survey weights provided by the NIS and population estimates from the US census were used to calculate nationally representative estimates. The χ2 test for trend was used to compare the prevalence of concomitant dissection among stroke hospitalizations across patient subgroups defined by age. Poisson regression and the Wald test for trend were used to evaluate whether the prevalence of hospitalizations for stroke and concomitant dissection per million person-years varied by age groups. Results There were 17,320 (95% confidence interval [CI], 15,614–19,026) hospitalizations involving ischemic stroke and a concomitant dissection. The prevalence of dissection among stroke hospitalizations decreased across 10-year age groups from 7.2% (95% CI, 6.2%–8.1%) among persons younger than 30 years to 0.2% (95% CI, 0.1%–0.2%) among persons older than 80 years (p value for trend Conclusion In a nationally representative sample, the prevalence of hospitalizations for dissection-related stroke increased with age.
ZENose (ZIF-Based Electrochemical Nose) Platform for Noninvasive Ammonia Detection.

Breathomics is a widely emerging tool for noninvasive disease diagnosis and focuses on the detection of various levels of volatile organic compounds and inorganic gases present in human breath. One...
Anti-Picturesque Landscapes, Entangled Fauna, and Interracial Collaboration in Post-Emancipation Jamaica in the Work of Philip Henry Gosse and Richard Hill

The illustrations in Philip Henry Gosse’s travelogue A Naturalist’s Sojourn in Jamaica, published in 1851, refuse both the picturesque modes and the natural history conventions of the period. This ...
Alum:CpG adjuvant enables SARS-CoV-2 RBD-induced protection in aged mice and synergistic activation of human elder type 1 immunity

ABSTRACT Global deployment of vaccines that can provide protection across several age groups is still urgently needed to end the COVID-19 pandemic especially for low- and middle-income countries. While vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 based on mRNA and adenoviral-vector technologies have been rapidly developed, additional practical and scalable SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are needed to meet global demand. In this context, protein subunit vaccines formulated with appropriate adjuvants represent a promising approach to address this urgent need. Receptor-binding domain (RBD) is a key target of neutralizing antibodies (Abs) but is poorly immunogenic. We therefore compared pattern recognition receptor (PRR) agonists, including those activating STING, TLR3, TLR4 and TLR9, alone or formulated with aluminum hydroxide (AH), and benchmarked them to AS01B and AS03-like emulsion-based adjuvants for their potential to enhance RBD immunogenicity in young and aged mice. We found that the AH and CpG adjuvant formulation (AH:CpG) demonstrated the highest enhancement of anti-RBD neutralizing Ab titers in both age groups (∼80-fold over AH), and protected aged mice from the SARS-CoV-2 challenge. Notably, AH:CpG-adjuvanted RBD vaccine elicited neutralizing Abs against both wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and B.1.351 variant at serum concentrations comparable to those induced by the authorized mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine. AH:CpG induced similar cytokine and chemokine gene enrichment patterns in the draining lymph nodes of both young adult and aged mice and synergistically enhanced cytokine and chemokine production in human young adult and elderly mononuclear cells. These data support further development of AH:CpG-adjuvanted RBD as an affordable vaccine that may be effective across multiple age groups. One Sentence Summary Alum and CpG enhance SARS-CoV-2 RBD protective immunity, variant neutralization in aged mice and Th1-polarizing cytokine production by human elder leukocytes.
The effect of SARS-COV-2 Infections on Amyloid Formation of Serum Amyloid A

A marker for the severeness and disease progress of COVID-19 is overexpression of serum amyloid A (SAA) to levels that in other diseases are associated with a risk for SAA amyloidosis. This secondary illness is characterized by formation and deposition of SAA amyloids in blood vessels, causing inflammation, thrombosis and sometimes organ failure, with symptoms resembling the multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) observed in some COVID-19 survivors. Hence, in order to understand better the danger of SAA amyloidosis in the context of COVID-19 we have used molecular dynamic simulations to study the effect of a SARS-COV-2 protein segment on SAA amyloid formation. We find that presence of the nine-residue segment SK9, located on the Envelope protein, increases the propensity for SAA fibril formation by three mechanisms: it reduces the stability of the lipid-transporting hexamer shifting the equilibrium toward monomers, it increases the frequency of aggregation-prone configurations in the resulting chains, and it raises the stability of SAA fibrils. Our results therefore suggest that SAA amyloidosis-related pathologies are a long-term risk of SARS-COV-2 infections.
Improvising against the racial state in Atlanta: Reimagining agency in environmental justice

Recent scholarship on environmental justice highlights a concern about the relationship between the racial state and social movement strategy. This paper addresses the ingenuity of environmental ju...
Francisella tularensis Vaccines Elicit Concurrent Protective T- and B-Cell Immune Responses in BALB/cByJ Mice

In the last decade several new vaccines against Francisella tularensis, which causes tularemia, have been characterized in animal models. Whereas many of these vaccine candidates showed promise, it remains critical to bridge the preclinical studies to human subjects, ideally by taking advantage of correlates of protection. By combining in vitro intramacrophage LVS replication with gene expression data through multivariate analysis, we previously identified and quantified correlative T cell immune responses that discriminate vaccines of different efficacy. Further, using C57BL/6J mice, we demonstrated that the relative levels of gene expression vary according to vaccination route and between cell types from different organs. Here, we extended our studies to the analysis of T cell functions of BALB/cByJ mice to evaluate whether our approach to identify correlates of protection also applies to a Th2 dominant mouse strain. BALB/cByJ mice had higher survival rates than C57BL/6J mice when they were immunized with suboptimal vaccines and challenged. However, splenocytes derived from differentially vaccinated BALB/cByJ mice controlled LVS intramacrophage replication in vitro in a pattern that reflected the hierarchy of protection observed in C57BL/6J mice. In addition, gene expression of selected potential correlates revealed similar patterns in splenocytes of BALB/cByJ and C57BL/6J mice. The different survival patterns were related to B cell functions, not necessarily to specific antibody production, which played an important protective role in BALB/cByJ mice when vaccinated with suboptimal vaccines. Our studies therefore demonstrate the range of mechanisms that operate in the most common mouse strains used for characterization of vaccines against F. tularensis, and illustrate the complexity necessary to define a comprehensive set of correlates.
Cancer and Infertility

The diagnosis of cancer and the possibility of iatro-genic infertility secondary to cancer treatment appear to be equal life crises for oncology patients in their reproductive years. These patients require careful screening and sensitive intervention by the oncology team. Case examples illustrate the multiple human costs of neglecting iatrogenic infertility as a clinical problem and examine the painful clinical, ethical, and existential dilemmas caregivers confront in the face of such human longing for life. Recommended changes in clinical practice include an expanded role for the oncology social worker.
Long wave, room temperature II-VI-based quantum cascade emitters

We demonstrate the first long-wave, room temperature II-VI materials based Quantum Cascade emitter around 7.2 μm. At 80 K, a device differential resistance of 2.6 Ω and a narrow electroluminescent width of 16% was obtained.
Multiple Molecular Forms of Uridine Diphosphate Glucose Pyrophosphorylase from Salmonella typhimurium: III. INTERCONVERSION BETWEEN VARIOUS FORMS

A wild type strain of Salmonella typhimurium produced three forms (II, IIIa, and IIIb) of uridine diphosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase (EC 2.7.7.9), the molecular weights of which were around 40,000, 40,000, and 80,000, as determined by centrifugation in a sucrose density gradient. A deletion mutant his-519, lacking gene galF, produced a single species (IV) of the enzyme with a molecular weight around 80,000. Enzyme IIIa was converted in vitro into Enzyme II; this conversion required a factor that was present also in the cells lacking the galF gene. Enzyme IIIa was also converted into a "dimer," IIIb, and this conversion was accelerated by small amounts of NaCl. Enzymes II, IIIb, and IV were stable and were not further converted into any other form at neutral pH. It is suggested that the structural gene for uridine diphosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase, galU, codes for a polypeptide which forms a tightly associated "dimer" (Enzyme IV) in the absence of products specified by the gene galF. In the wild type cells, however, the products coded for by the galF gene modify the galU-specified polypeptide so that it can now exist as a monomer (Enzyme IIIa), which in turn can be further converted into Enzyme II or IIIb.
Measurements of atmospheric CO2 over a horizontal path using a tunable-diode-laser and erbium-fiber-amplifier at 1572 nm

We made measurements of atmospheric CO2 in an open 206 m horizontal path using a tunable-diode-laser and 5 W Er-fiber-amplifier transmitter at 1572 nm to ± 1.7% (7 ppm) accuracy with 10 s averaging time.
Dense Packing of Space with Various Convex Solids

One of the basic problems in discrete geometry is to determine the most efficient packing of congruent replicas of a given convex set K in the plane or in space. The most commonly used measure of efficiency is density. Several types of the problem arise depending on the type of isometries allowed for the packing: packing by translates, lattice packing, translates and point reflections, or all isometries. Due to its connections with number theory, crystallography, etc., lattice packing has been studied most extensively. In two dimensions the theory is fairly well developed, and there are several significant results on lattice packing in three dimensions as well. This article surveys the known results, focusing on the most recent progress. Also, many new problems are stated, indicating directions in which future development of the general packing theory in three dimensions seems feasible.
A strategy for analyzing bond strength and interaction kinetics between Pleckstrin homology domains and PI(4,5)P2 phospholipids using force distance spectroscopy and surface plasmon resonance

Phospholipids are important membrane components involved in diverse biological activities ranging from cell signaling to infection by viral particles. A thorough understanding of protein–phospholipid interaction dynamics is thus crucial for deciphering basic cellular processes as well as for targeted drug discovery. For any specific phospholipid–protein binding experiment, various groups have reported different binding constants, which are strongly dependent on applied conditions of interactions. Here, we report a method for accurate determination of the binding affinity and specificity between proteins and phospholipids using a model interaction between PLC-δ1/PH and phosphoinositide phospholipid PtdIns(4,5)P2. We developed an accurate Force Distance Spectroscopy (FDS)-based assay and have attempted to resolve the problem of variation in the observed binding constant by directly measuring the bond force. We confirm the FDS findings of a high bond strength of ∼0.19 ± 0.04 nN by Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) data analysis, segregating non-specific interactions, which show a significantly lower KD suggesting tight binding.
Cytomegalovirus Enhances Macrophage TLR Expression and MyD88-Mediated Signal Transduction To Potentiate Inducible Inflammatory Responses

Circulating monocytes carrying human CMV (HCMV) migrate into tissues, where they differentiate into HCMV-infected resident macrophages that upon interaction with bacterial products may potentiate tissue inflammation. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which HCMV promotes macrophage-orchestrated inflammation using a clinical isolate of HCMV (TR) and macrophages derived from primary human monocytes. HCMV infection of the macrophages, which was associated with viral DNA replication, significantly enhanced TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 gene expression and protein production in response to TLR4 ligand (LPS) stimulation compared with mock-infected LPS-stimulated macrophages during a 6-d in vitro infection. HCMV infection also potentiated TLR5 ligand-stimulated cytokine production. To elucidate the mechanism by which HCMV infection potentiated inducible macrophage responses, we show that infection by HCMV promoted the maintenance of surface CD14 and TLR4 and TLR5, which declined over time in mock-infected macrophages, and enhanced both the intracellular expression of adaptor protein MyD88 and the inducible phosphorylation of IκBα and NF-κB. These findings provide additional information toward elucidating the mechanism by which HCMV potentiates bacteria-induced NF-κB-mediated macrophage inflammatory responses, thereby enhancing organ inflammation in HCMV-infected tissues.
Synthesis and parallel secretion of rat intestinal alkaline phosphatase and a surfactant-like particle protein.

Rat intestinal microvillous alkaline phosphatases are secreted bidirectionally from the enterocyte attached to a phospholipid-rich membrane (surfactant-like particle). To determine the intracellula...
SOME BIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE POLARIZING FACTOR IN HYDRA.

TRIPP1 proposed a growth pattern for Hydra which was later confirmed by Brien2 and Burnett and Garofalo3. Beneath the hypostome of Hydra a growth region exists where cell proliferations constantly occur. Cell divisions in this area force adjacent cells distally to the tentacle tips and proximally to the basal disk. When cells reach the extremity of the body column they die and are sloughed off. Thus, the animal is capable of continual growth without a change in form.
Training Opportunities Available to Ohio Lake Erie Basin Local Decision-makers Regarding the Economic and Fiscal Benefits of Coastal and Watershed Stewardship

This paper presents new knowledge about the current status of training on the economic value of stewardship practices in the Ohio Lake Erie basin. Local decision-makers shape coastal and watershed conditions but often do not appreciate the economic, fiscal, and ecological benefits that could be gained from sound stewardship practices. This study investigated the information and training about economic benefits available in the Ohio Lake Erie basin. Training providers and technical assistance professionals helped identify key training needs and challenges to decision-maker awareness of benefits. We found relatively few organizations offering training that incorporate economic or fiscal benefits into their curricula. Within these programs, stormwater management and tourism were the most popular training topics among local decision-makers. Regarding target audiences, training providers noted that public sector participants tended to be interested in the fiscal (tax revenue and public spending) impacts of regulations and in economic development. Our analysis suggests a need to document the economic and fiscal benefits and costs to existing practices in the Lake Erie basin to provide case studies and examples for peer-to-peer education for local decision-makers. The results suggest a need for increased collaboration among training providers and educational institutions in the Lake Erie basin to develop case studies or fact sheets of benefits and costs. The results also suggest that creating a technical advisory network concerning economic benefits and costs would provide a useful service to local decision-makers.
Education and Earnings in the People's Republic of China.

Abstract Data from a household survey conducted in a relatively poor county in northwestern China allow assessment of the impact of education on the employment status and earnings of urban dwellers and on the value of output of small farms. The Mincerian rate-of-return to schooling was 4.5% for urban males and 5.5% for urban females; these are among the lowest levels yet reported. The effect of experience on earnings was also unusually low for males and negligible for females. Findings from rural areas, where market forces play a more central role, were more consistent with findings from other countries. The education levels of adults in farm households had a strong impact on total farm earnings, mostly through its impact on ‘sideline’ production rather than grain output. Data on the educational attainment of children allowed an assessment of the determinants of schooling received; as in other developing countries, children of poorly educated parents do less well than those of better educated ones an rural dwellers do less well than those from urban areas. Surprisingly, female children seem to be receiving slightly more education than males.
Adaptive Selling Behavior: Adding Depth and Specificity to the Range of Adaptive Outputs

Working from the expanded model of adaptive selling behavior offered by Eckert and Plank (2004), this paper attempts to add greater depth and specificity to the adaptive output categories making them more useful for research advancement and for both the teaching and execution of an adaptive selling approach. Relevant literature is identified, organized, and offered as theory sources to support and expand the adaptive selling model.
Time of transuterine migration and distribution of embryos in the pig

The time of intrauterine migration and spacing of embryos was determined in 36 gilts with one oviduct occluded, and in 48 gilts with one ovary. Embryos could enter the uterus from one oviduct only. Uteri of seven pregnant gilts were examined on each of days 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 15 of gestation. Migration of embryos from one horn to the other usually occurred first on day 8 or 9. The uterus was occupied completely by day 15. Rate of migration and distribution of embryos was not affected by number of embryos, number of corpora lutea, or by uterine length. Uterine length did not change between days 6 and 15. Bilateral ovariectomy after breeding was associated with arrested growth of embryos, a decreased rate of embryo migration and a reduction in uterine length.
Rationale and Considerations for the Internet-Based Delivery of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy.

Given the enormous individual, familial, and societal costs associated with early disruptive behavior disorders, transformative efforts are needed to develop innovative options for overcoming traditional barriers to effective care and for broadening the availability of supported interventions. This paper presents the rationale and key considerations for a promising innovation in the treatment of early-onset disruptive behavior disorders—that is, the development of an Internet-based format for the delivery of Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) directly to families in their own homes. Specifically, we consider traditional barriers to effective care, and discuss how technological innovations can overcome problems of treatment availability, accessibility, and acceptability. We then detail our current Internet-delivered PCIT treatment program (I-PCIT), which is currently being evaluated across multiple randomized clinical trials relative to waitlist comparison, and to traditional in-office PCIT. Embedded video clips of children treated with I-PCIT are used to illustrate novel aspects of the treatment.
Stochastic approach to modeling fatigue crack growth

Ce modele considere la fissuration comme un processus de Markov vectorise 2D. Deux lois de propagation des fissures de fatigue sont utilisees pour l'analyse, et une methode des integrales finies modifiee est proposee pour determiner les parametres du modele stochastique. Ce modele utilise les donnees de Virkler. Excellent accord entre les resultats theoriques et les donnees experimentales
The Effects of Religious Attendance and Obesity on Health by Race/Ethnicity

Abstract Objectives The objectives of this paper are to examine the effects of religion and obesity on health and determine how the relationship varies by racial/ethnic groups with data from the Panel Study of American Race and Ethnicity (PS-ARE). Methods Using ordinal logistic regression, the effects of religion and obesity on self-rated health and how the relationship varies by racial/ethnic groups are investigated. Additionally, to determine whether certain ethnic groups are more impacted by the frequency of religious attendance and obesity, whites, blacks, and Hispanics are analyzed separately with ordinal logistic regression. Results When obesity was added in focal relationship between religious services attendance and self-rated health strengthened this focal relationship which is a suppression effect between religious services attending and self-rated health adding obesity. For BMI is also significantly associated with decreased odds of reporting better health–normal weight (OR = 2.99; 95% CI = 2.43–3.67) and overweight (OR = 2.19; 95% CI = 1.79–2.68) compared to obese. Subjects who attend religious services 1–2 time a year (OR = 1.30; 95% CI = 1.04–1.62) and 1–3 times a month (OR = 1.28; 95% CI = 1.05–1.57) are associated with increased odds of reporting better health. In whites, attending religious services 1–2 times a year are associated with increased odds of reporting better health (OR = 1.48; 95% CI = 1.09–2.00) and 1–3 times a month are also associated with increased odds of reporting health (OR = 1.34; 95% CI = 1.02–1.78) compared to never attending religious attendance. The frequency of religious services attendance of blacks and Hispanics are not associated with self-rated health. For BMI, being white is more positively associated with increased odds of reporting better health than black and Hispanic subjects. Although white subjects are less likely to attend religious services more frequently than black and Hispanic subjects, the influence on self-rated health in white subjects is more evidenced than other racial/ethnic groups. Conclusions Although it was not proven that the association between participation in religious services and self-rated health is mediated by obesity, the research shows the suppression effect of obesity between participation in religious services and self-rated health.
Electron microscopic studies of the compound eye of the toadbug, Gelastocoris oculatus

There are eight retinula cells in the ommatidium of the compound eye of the toadbug (Gelastocoris oculatus), two of which are central in position. Along the axial sides of the six peripheral retinula cells expand six cytoplasmic processes from the apical crystalline cone cells. These processes, which contain longitudinally-oriented microtubules, are associated with all eight retinula cells by means of desmosomal junctions. In addition to providing structural support, the possibility is set forth that the interconnecting cone processes might also serve to functionally integrate the retinula cells of an ommatidium. The eight retinula cells possess microvillus surfaces, which are especially prominent in the six peripheral cells, where they extend into the lumen of the ommatidium. There is evidence of pinocytotic activity at the bases of microvilli. Multivesicular bodies are present in the cytoplasm of retinula cells, and the means by which these bodies might be elaborated are discussed.
Factors Associated with the Ability of Kindergarten Children to Solve Simple Arithmetic Story Problems

This study suggests that a majority of kindergarten children, prior to formal instruction in addition and subtraction, are able to use counting procedures to solve the types of story problems that teachers later use to introduce these basic operations. A major factor affecting pupil ability to solve such stories is the extent to which the presentation of the story involves the use of manipulative materials to illustrate the sets and actions or relationships described in the story. Pupil success is also related to certain specified characteristics of the story itself. Findings of the study appear to have definite implications for instruction and for the diagnosis of pupil difficulties.
Middle interhemispheric variant of holoprosencephaly

A girl was born at gestational week 34 from a pregnancy complicated by pre-eclampsia and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Multiple fetal anomalies were found on US (holoprosencephaly, cardiac situs inversus, ventricular septal defect and polyhydramnios). Fetal (Fig. 1) and postnatal (Fig. 2) brain MRIs show midline fusion of posterior frontal and anterior parietal regions with callosal dysgenesis and lack of midline thalamic fusion. Middle interhemispheric holoprosencephaly consists of abnormal midline hemispheric fusion of the posterior frontal and parietal regions. It differs from classic holoprosencephaly because there is interhemispheric separation of the basal forebrain and the anterior frontal lobes [1]. A
Miracil D: effects on nucleic acid synthesis, protein synthesis, and enzyme induction in Escherichia coli.

Abstract 1. When added to a culture of intact Escherichia coli , Miracil D inhibits growth, causes virtually complete inhibition of total cellular RNA synthesis and partial inhibition of DNA and protein synthesis, and blocks the induction of β-galactosidase. 2. All of these toxic effects are prevented by simultaneous addition to the culture of spermine. Evidence is presented that spermine acts by blocking cellular uptake of Miracil D. An additional effect of spermine on the formation of the Miracil D-DNA complex is suggested. 3. Miracil D also inhibits DNA-directed RNA synthesis with purified E. coli RNA polymerase but in the usual assay system it does not inhibit subcellular amino acid incorporation. 4. These results indicate that Miracil D inhibits bacterial growth mainly by complexing with DNA, thereby blocking cellular RNA synthesis. The drug provides an interesting comparison to actinomycin D in terms of specificity and mode of action.
‘Cloning Words’: Euphemism, Neologism and Dysphemism as Literary Devices in Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go

This essay examines the theme and trope of ‘copies’ in Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel Never Let Me Go. Whatever one’s final reading of the novel, the theme and thread of copy, copies, copying and copied is never far off. In a semantic sense then, the act of ‘copying’, both as a verb and the indexing of ‘copies’ as a noun, pervades every element of the literary landscape of Never Let Me Go and demands closer linguistic rather than mere literary inspection. Kazuo Ishiguro innovatively replicates this dual strategy of thematic and lexical inscription of the trope of ‘copying’ via a creative use of lexical semantics. Like Ishiguro’s clones whose organ parts have to be viewed as wholes, the lexical parts of Never Let Me Go make sense only as a whole.
Estimating component-defect probability from masked system success/failure data

Consider a system of k components that fails whenever there is a defect in at least one of the components. Due to cost and time constraints it is not feasible to learn exactly which components are defective. Instead, test procedures ascertain that the defective components belong to some subset of the k components. This phenomenon is termed masking. The authors describe a 2-stage procedure in which a sample of masked subsets is subjected to intensive failure analysis. This enables maximum-likelihood estimation of the defect probability of each individual component and leads to diagnosis of the defective components in future masked failures.
Decoherence, correlation, and entanglement in a pair of coupled quantum dissipative oscillators

A pair of coupled quantum dissipative oscillators, serving as a model for a nanosystem, is described here by the Lindblad equation. Its dynamic evolution is shown to exhibit the features of decoherence (spatial extent of quantum behavior), correlation (spatial scale over which the system localizes to its physical dimensions), and mixed-state entanglement (or inseparability, a special quantum feature in the case of pure states making its appearance first in bipartite systems) as a function of the coupling constants of the Lindblad equation. One interesting feature of this calculation is that the mixed-state separable entanglement may exhibit revivals in time. An initially inseparable entangled state need not remain so for all time and may exhibit regions of separable entanglement. Interpreting the parameters of the Lindblad theory as environmental features in certain experimental situations gives us clues as to the possible control of decoherence, correlation, and nature of entanglement.
Merton's “social structure and anomie”: The road not taken

The thesis of this paper is that Robert Merton's essay “Social Structure and Anomie” contains two analytically distinct theoretical arguments, a theory of social organization and a theory of deviant motivation. The theory of social organization discusses the articulation of components of social systems, whereas the theory of deviant motivation addresses the sources of pressures on individuals to violate social norms. These two theories employ similar terms and are joined to deal with a principal substantive concern for Merton, namely, the distribution of deviant behavior within a social structure. I argue, however, that the two theories are not logically interdependent. Evidence inconsistent with one is thus not necessarily inconsistent with the other. Moreover, I suggest that the theory of social organization warrants greater attention than it has received to date because it is the more original and lucid of the two theoretical arguments, and because it has the potential for generating a promising resear...
Methodology for Comparison of Inverse Heat Conduction Methods

The inverse heat conduction problem involves the calculation of the surface heat flux from transient measured temperatures inside solids. The deviation of the estimated heat flux from the true heat flux due to stabilization procedures is called the deterministic bias. This paper defines two test problems that show the tradeoff errors having constant variance and zero mean, the second test case gives the standard deviation of the estimated heat flux. A methodology for the quantitative comparison of deterministic bias and standard deviation of inverse methods is proposed. Four numerical inverse methods are compared.
The clinical implications (or lack thereof) of vegetations detected by echocardiography in patients not thought to have endocarditis.

Background: The clinical impact of echocardiographic demonstration of a vegetation (Veg) in patients in whom infective endocarditis (IE) is not suspected has not previously been analyzed. Hypothesis: In this study, an echocardiographic database was interrogated to test whether discovery of a vegetation by echocardiography should result in treatment for endocarditis if IE is not suspected. Methods: In all, 2,750 serial transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE) were reviewed to generate a list of reports containing the word Veg or thickening (Thk). A chart review of cases identified the impact the report had on patient management. To analyze reader bias due to echocardiographic requests, stating “rule out Veg or IE” as the reason for the study, an additional 1,000 serial TTE requests were segregated into two groups with and without this term. The incidence of the terms Veg or Thk in TTE reports of these groups was tabulated. Results: Of 2,750 reports, 20 contained the word Veg. Blood cultures were drawn in 16 of 20, with 7 of 16 being positive. Therapy for IE was initiated in 5 of 7 patients with positive cultures. Of 1,000 requests reviewed in the second phase, 24% of those with rule out Veg as the indication for TTE (n = 29) had Veg and 7% had Thk, while in 971 cases with other indications for TTE 0.2% had Veg and 9.3% had Thk. Conclusions: Clinicians disregard TTE demonstration of Veg if clinical suspicion for IE is low. It is not clear whether the initial echo request biases the interpretation.
Inhibitors of sterol biosynthesis. Synthesis and activities of ring C oxygenated sterols.

Abstract The chemical syntheses of a number of C 27 ring C oxygenated sterols have been pursued to permit evaluation of their activity in the inhibition of sterols biosynthesis in cultured mammalian cells. Thus, 5α-cholest-7-ene-3β,11α-diol, 3α-hydroxy-5α-cholest-9(11)-en-12-one and the previously unreported 11α-hydroxy-5α-cholest-7-en-3-one, 5α-cholest-9(11)-ene-3,12-dione, and 3β-hydroxy-5α-cholest-9(11)-en-12-one have been synthesized. The effects of these compounds on the synthesis of digitonin-precipitable sterols from labeled acetate in mouse L cells and on the levels of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase activity in the same cells have been investigated and compared with previously published data on other ring C oxygenated sterols. 5α-Cholest-7-ene-3β,11α-diol was shown to be the most potent inhibitor of sterol synthesis.
Infectious disease in consumer populations: dynamic consequences of resource-mediated transmission and infectiousness

Nonhost species can strongly affect the timing and progression of epidemics. One central interaction—between hosts, their resources, and parasites—remains surprisingly underdeveloped from a theoretical perspective. Furthermore, key epidemiological traits that govern disease spread are known to depend on resource density. We tackle both issues here using models that fuse consumer–resource and epidemiological theory. Motivated by recent studies of a phytoplankton–zooplankton–fungus system, we derive and analyze a family of dynamic models for parasite spread among consumers in which transmission depends on consumer (host) and resource densities. These models yield four key insights. First, host–resource cycling can lower mean host density and inhibit parasite invasion. Second, host–resource cycling can create Allee effects (bistability) if parasites increase mean host density by reducing the amplitude of host–resource cycles. Third, parasites can stabilize host–resource cycles; however, host–resource cycling can also cause disease cycling. Fourth, resource dependence of epidemiological traits helps to govern the relative dominance of these different behaviors. However, these resource dependencies largely have quantitative rather than qualitative effects on these three-species dynamics. Given the extent of these results, host–resource–parasite interactions should become more fundamental components of the burgeoning theory for the community ecology of infectious diseases.
Karyotypic variation in susceptibility to hemolytic anemia and idiopathic eosinophilia of owl monkeys,Aotus trivirgatus

Hematologic data gathered over a period of 4.8 years from 196 owl monkeys,Aotus trivirgatus, were analyzed to find if karyotypic differences existed. It was found that none of 30 animals of karyotypes K-I and K-VI developed hemolytic anemia, whereas 46 of 99 animals of K-II, K-III and K-IV did (p<0.005). Analysis of hemograms of normal owl monkeys showed that mean percent eosinophils varied markedly, K-I monkeys having lowest counts, 3.2%, and K-VI animals having the highest, 33%. These results establish that idiopathic eosinophilia and hemolytic anemia in this species are probably unrelated but susceptibility to both has a strong genetic component.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and serum lipoproteins: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Abstract Objective While nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with the metabolic syndrome, it is not known if NAFLD plays an independent role in the atherogenic dyslipidemia phenotype. Methods and results The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) is a population-based prospective cohort study of adults free of clinical cardiovascular disease at enrollment. We tested for a relationship between NAFLD, defined as a liver/spleen (L/S) attenuation ratio of NAFLD was present in 569 (17%) of 3362 participants. After adjustment for multiple metabolic risk factors, adiposity and measures of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), NAFLD was independently associated with higher fasting serum triglycerides and lower serum HDL-C. Despite a lack of association with LDL-C, NAFLD was associated with higher LDL particle concentration and lower LDL particle size. Modeling the L/S ratio as a continuous variable, a severity dependent association was observed between atherogenic lipoprotein abnormalities and NAFLD. Conclusion In a large, multi-ethnic, gender balanced cohort, CT-diagnosed NAFLD was associated with the atherogenic dyslipidemia phenotype in a dose dependent fashion. These relationships persisted after adjustment for several metabolic risk factors and HOMA-IR, suggesting a possible independent pathophysiologic role between NAFLD and dyslipidemia.