cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Jupiter after Pioneer - A progress report

In December 1973, Pioneer 10 became the first spacecraft to reach the vicinity of Jupiter. The spacecraft passed through the Jovian magnetosphere in two weeks and sent back more than 300 pictures of the big planet. Measurements were conducted of EM fields, energetic particles, and micrometeoroids. Radio occultations observed are discussed along with observations in the infrared and ultraviolet range, magnetic measurements, questions of trajectory analysis, and data obtained with the aid of a plasma analyzer. Pioneer 10 has confirmed as inescapable the fact that Jupiter radiates more energy than it receives from the sun.
Thermocapillary flow and melt/solid interfaces in floating-zone crystal growth under microgravity

Computer simulation of steady-state axisymmetrical heat transfer and fluid flow was conducted to study thermocapillary flow and melt/solid interfaces in floating-zone crystal growth under microgravity. The effects of key variables on the extent of thermocapillary flow in the melt zone, the shapes of melt/solid interfaces and the length of the melt zone were discussed. These variables are: (1) the temperature coefficient of surface tension (or the Marangoni number), (2) the pulling speed (or the Peclet number), (3) the feed rod radius, (4) the ambient temperature distribution, (5) the heat transfer coefficient (or the Biot number), and (6) the thermal diffusivity of the material (or the Prandtl number).
8.8: Presentation session: Measurement sciences and imaging technologies: “Image processing and Hierarchical Temporal Memories for automated retina analysis”

Due to the projected increase in the type 2 diabetes epidemic, there is a critical need for widely available and inexpensive screening for diabetic retinopathy, a preventable secondary disease caused by diabetes that can lead to decreased visual function and even blindness. Currently this type of testing can only be performed manually by trained ophthalmologists, but a telemedicine network with retina cameras and automated quality control, physiological feature location, and lesion / anomaly detection is a more cost effective method of providing broad-based screening. In this paper we report on the method of using Hierarchical Temporal Memories (HTMs), a new type of machine learning technology based on the function of the human neocortex, to locate optic nerves as an alternative method for physiological feature location as a part of the larger telemedicine network scheme. We compare the results from the HTM network on a data set collected from a Memphis, TN clinic to the results from more conventional machine vision techniques. We show that while HTM technology as it is used with this procedure is not as accurate as traditional image analysis and processing methods, it is still quite effective and is a promising new technology for machine vision applications such as the diabetic retinopathy telemedicine network.
Facial growth in beagles with repair of an isolated cleft palate

This study tested the hypothesis that surgical repair of a surgically induced palatal defect would result in more severe craniofacial growth aberrations than would occur with the healing of the defect without surgical repair. Fortysix beagle puppies were used in this experiment. The animals were divided into three groups: two control groups (unoperated and unrepaired) and one experimental group (closure using two-flap palatoplasty). Thirty-four direct cephalometric measurements were analyzed using univariate and multivariate techniques. The most severe craniofacial growth aberrations occurred among animals with unrepaired palatal defects. Our analyses suggest that the growth aberrations in animals with palate repair result from the creation, and not the repair, of the palatal defect. It is our opinion that closure of the defect by two-flap palatoplasty contributed to new bone formation within the defect, preventing the growth aberrations which followed surgical creation of the defect which was left unrepaired.
Inflammatory pseudotumor of the temporal bone.

Objective To characterize the clinical presentation, imaging characteristics, intraoperative findings, and key histopathologic features of inflammatory pseudotumors of the temporal bone. Findings from an index case are presented, and the literature is reviewed for comparison. Study design Retrospective case review. Setting University tertiary referral center. Patients Cases were identified by review of surgical specimens from the temporal bone and lateral skull base with histopathologic confirmation. A single case was identified at our institution. Nine additional cases were identified in the literature; clinical features were reviewed. Intervention Of reported cases, treatment consisted of complete surgical excision in eight cases and subtotal excision in one. The index patient underwent surgical excision with postoperative corticosteroid therapy for adjacent meningeal involvement, after histopathologic interpretation. Corticosteroids were administered to one patient with residual microscopic tumor, and external beam radiotherapy was used for residual/recurrent disease in one case. Results The lesions were typically locally aggressive with extensive bony erosion. Three cases (33%) demonstrated labyrinthine and otic capsule involvement. Four cases (44%) involved the facial nerve. Characteristic histopathologic features included fibroblastic proliferation and a mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate in all cases. Mitotic figures, nuclear pleomorphism, and necrosis were rare or nonexistent. Conclusions Inflammatory pseudotumors of the temporal bone are rare but aggressive lesions. Therapy should consist of surgical excision with steroids reserved for residual or intracranial disease or in patients in whom surgery is not an option. These lesions must be differentiated from other infectious, granulomatous, and neoplastic lesions on the basis of histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings.
The Development of Learning Sers in Adequate and Retarded Readers

Potential differences in the development of learning sets between eight- and 72-year-old adequate and retarded readers were examined. The learning set problem required the children to learn to consistently choose one of two nonsense syllables despite variations in four irrelevant dimensions and to generalize that solution to similar problems employing different stimulus materials. Retarded readers were not found to be deficient in their ability to solve the simple discrimination learning problem presented, but were deficient in their ability to generalize their solution to subsequent problems. Although the younger children were inferior to the older ones in their ability to generalize the solution to the discrimination learning problem, the deficiency exhibited by retarded readers did not change with changes in age.
Axial patterning of the pentaradial adult echinoderm body plan.

Adult echinoderms possess a highly diverged, pentaradial body plan. Developmental mechanisms underlying this body plan are completely unknown, but are critical in understanding how echinoderm pentamery evolved from bilateral ancestors. These mechanisms are difficult to study in indirect-developing species; in this study, we use the direct-developing sea urchin Heliocidaris erythrogramma, whose accelerated adult development can be perturbed by NiCl2. We introduce a new nomenclature for the adult echinoderm axes to facilitate discussion of the radially symmetric body plan and the events required to pattern it. In sea urchins, the adult oral–aboral axis is often conflated with the long axes of the five rays; we identify these as distinct body axes, the proximodistal (PD). In addition, we define a circular axis, the circumoral (CO), along which the division into five sectors occurs. In NiCl2-treated larvae, aspects of normal PD pattern were retained, but CO pattern was abolished. Milder treatments resulted in relatively normal juveniles ranging from biradial to decaradial. NiCl2 treatment had no effect either on mesodermal morphology or on the ectodermal gene expression response to an inductive mesodermal signal. This suggests that the mesoderm does not mediate the disruption of CO patterning by NiCl2. In contrast, mesodermal signaling may explain the presence of PD pattern in treated larvae. However, variations in appendage pattern suggest that ectodermal signals are also required. We conclude that CO patterning in both germ layers is dependent on ectodermal events and PD patterning is controlled by mutual ectoderm–mesoderm signaling.
Prenatal diagnosis of cystinosis.

Cystinosis was diagnosed in a small quantity of cultured amniotic cells from a 22-week-old fetus by a modified pulse-labeling technique in which intracellular 55 Sl-cystine retention was measured. As a result of the above finding, the pregnancy was terminated by administration of prostaglandin. The diagnosis was confirmed when the nonprotien-free cystine cystine content of the kidney, liver, placenta, spleen, thymus, and gut, as well as that of a large amount of cultured amniotic cells, was found to be 100-fold higher than normal levels.
Women and attention deficit disorders: a great burden overlooked

Purpose: To describe adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in relation to gender-based differences in symptom expression with particular emphasis on disparities concerning women, psychiatric comorbidities that affect assessment and detection, and evidenced-based treatment approaches for nurse practitioners (NPs). Data sources: Health sciences literature was reviewed using the following data-bases: Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed, Proquest, Psych Info, Wiley Interscience, Cambridge Press, Science Direct, and Thomson Gale. Conclusions: Recognizing adult ADHD may be challenging; however, with increased understanding regarding the subtle variations in symptoms, use of screening instruments, and careful assessment techniques, NPs will be better able to recognize the characteristics of ADHD that are important to early detection, proper diagnosis, and effective treatment. Implications for practice: Additional research and improved clinician education may facilitate early detection and treatment of ADHD among adults of all ages and ethnic/racial backgrounds.
A Plasmonic Terahertz Detector with a Monolithic Hot Electron Bolometer.

A plasmonic terahertz detector that integrates a voltage-controlled planar barrier into a grating gated GaAs/AlGaAs high electron mobility transistor has been fabricated and experimentally characterized. The plasmonic response at fixed grating gate voltage has a full width at half-maximum of 40 GHz at ~405 GHz. Substantially increased responsivity is achieved by introducing an independently biased narrow gate that produces a lateral potential barrier electrically in series with the resonant grating gated region. DC electrical characterization in conjunction with bias-dependent terahertz responsivity and time constant measurements indicate that a hot electron bolometric effect is the dominant response mechanism at 20 K.
Periodic Holes with 10 nm Diameter Produced by Grazing Ar+Milling of the Barrier Layer in Hexagonally Ordered Nanoporous Alumina

Long-term anodization of aluminum provides a hexagonally ordered array of nanopores with very uniform pore diameters (between 30 and 50 nm, depending on pH, acid, and potential) and pore spacings of 80 to 100 nm within a matrix of amorphous aluminum oxide. However, one often desires smaller diameters. Because the bottom of each pore is U-shaped, we can use this geometrical feature and gradually open the U-shaped bottom cap of the alumina nanochannel by controlled grazing angle Ar+ ion milling and thus form smaller pore apertures. In initial results, we prepared opened holes with a diameter as small as 10 nm. This opens the door to numerous applications that need small but hexagonally periodic features produced by inexpensive means.
Rat carotid body catecholamines determined by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

Abstract Catecholamine contents in the rat carotid body were determined using high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (LCEC). Dopamine was found to be the predominant catecholamine present, representing about 53% of all catecholamines in the carotid body. Norepinephrine accounted for about 36% and epinephrine for about 10% of total carotid body catecholamines.
Coherence transfer between rotation-inversion transitions in the ν3 fundamental of NH3

Abstract The study of the absorption profile of the ν3rR 44 and pP 88 lines of ammonia at various pressures is reported. The two lines of the observed inversion doublets broaden as the pressure is increased until they overlap. Once the lines have overlapped the spectral profile narrows and then begins to broaden again but at a markedly different rate. This effect is due to collisions which transfer coherence (often called cross relaxation) between the transitions of the given inversion doublets. Modeling of this effect shows that the rate of coherence transfer is 71% and 75% of the total collisional dephasing rate for the rR 44 and pP 88 lines, respectively.
Hydralazine use in relation to cancers of the lung, colon, and rectum.

It has been suggested, based on animal experiments and limited human data, that the antihypertensive drug hydralazine might be carcinogenic, and among the sites of concern are the lung and colon.
The development of cell size in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of monocularly paralyzed cats

Nissl profiles of cell somata in the lateral geniculate nuclei (LGN) of adult cats which had been reared from 3 to 4 weeks of age with monocular paralysis (MP) were compared to those from normally reared adult cats. In all subjects, measurements were made in 3 different regions of the binocular segments of the A and A1 laminae and in the monocular segment in both LGNs. In the cats reared with MP, reductions in average cell size of about 20%, relative to normal, were detected throughout the binocular segments of the A and A1 laminae in both LGNs whether their innervation was provided by the paralyzed or mobile eye. There were no detectable effects in the monocular segments. These results are discussed in comparison to the morphological effects of other rearing procedures, particularly strabismus and monocular deprivation.
Nicotinic receptor desensitization and sensory gating deficits in schizophrenia

Abstract Background: Nicotinic receptor dysfunction is a possible mechanism of the abnormal sensory gating observed in schizophrenia with the P50 auditory event-related potential. Although nicotinic receptors normally desensitize after activation by acetylcholine or nicotine, pathologically increased desensitization might cause receptor dysfunction in schizophrenia. To examine this possibility, central cholinergic neuronal activity was diminished by allowing schizophrenic patients to sleep briefly, after which they experienced a transient period of normal P50 gating, consistent with receptor resensitization during the absence of cholinergic stimulation. A critical test of the mechanism is whether this resensitization is blocked by concurrent administration of nicotine, which would provide continuous receptor stimulation. Methods: Six schizophrenic patients repeated the sleep experiment during nicotine exposure from a dermal patch, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Results: The normalization of P50 gating immediately postsleep was replicated in the placebo arm, but this effect was decreased in all six patients during exposure to nicotine. Conclusions: The results suggest that nicotinic receptor desensitization is responsible for the loss of P50 gating in schizophrenia.
Simulation of differential effects on rates in membrane transport.

Solute uptake by a mobile carrier mechanism has been simulated with an analog computer for the case where the movement of the carrier across the membrane is rate-limiting. The ratio of the rate constants for the translocation of the loaded carrier to those for the translocation of the empty carrier was varied to simulate three important conditions of transport: a ratio greater than unity, which led as previously predicted to trans stimulation; a ratio less than unity, which led as predicted to trans inhibition; and a ratio equal to unity, which eliminated any effect of solute concentration on the trans flux. In addition, transients related to the relative amount of the mediator species are recorded. When previous loading of the cells with the solute was simulated, we obtained overshoots in the uptake of labeled solute corresponding to those often seen experimentally. The inhibitory action of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene on a well characterized laboratory example of trans stimulation was analyzed in terms of the model. Whereas the simulation shows that a change in the ratio of the rate constants for translocation can modify the intensity of the trans phenomenon, the action of dinitrofluorobenzene proved instead to arise from decreases in the two carrier fluxes that cause the transport in question to be uphill. The distribution of the influence between these two fluxes may assist identification of the mode of energization of the process.
Postoperative intra-abdominal collections using a sodium hyaluronate-carboxymethylcellulose (HA-CMC) barrier at the time of laparotomy for ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancers

Abstract Objectives To determine whether HA-CMC was associated with the development of postoperative intra-abdominal collections in patients undergoing laparotomy for ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal malignancies. Methods We retrospectively identified all laparotomies performed for these malignancies from March 1, 2005 to December 31, 2007. The use of HA-CMC was identified. Laparotomies for malignant bowel obstruction or repair of fistulae were excluded. Intra-abdominal collections, non-infected and infected, were defined as localized intraperitoneal fluid accumulations in the absence of re-accumulating ascites. All other complications were also captured. Appropriate statistical tests were applied using SPSS 15.0. Results We identified 219 laparotomies with HA-CMC and 204 without HA-CMC. Upper abdominal resections were performed in 65/219 (30%) HA-CMC cases compared to 39/204 (19%) cases without HA-CMC ( P =0.01). The rates of large bowel and/or rectal resections were similar in both cohorts. Intra-abdominal collections were seen in 18/219 (8.2%) HA-CMC cases compared to 5/204 (2.5%) cases without HA-CMC ( P =0.009). HA-CMC was independently associated with the diagnosis of a postoperative intra-abdominal collection ( P =0.01). All but 2 collections developed in patients undergoing debulking procedures. Conclusions HA-CMC appears to be associated with a higher rate of postoperative intra-abdominal collections. This seems to be greatest in patients who are undergoing a debulking procedure.
Momentum and Boltzmann distributions of neon fragments at ~300 MeV/nucleon.

The interaction cross section of a neon beam at approx.300 MeV/nucleon along with the partial production cross sections of its fragments is studied in nuclear emulsion. Projected angular distributions of fragments are measured and are correlated with the longitudinal momentum distributions which enable us to estimate the Fermi momentum of the projectile. The space angle distributions of singly and doubly charged particles are discussed on the basis of the Boltzmann distributions.
Effects of endotoxin administration and cerebral hypoxia-ischemia on complement activity and local transcriptional regulation in neonatal rats.

Abstract It is not known whether up-regulation of complement components, either circulating or locally synthesized, contributes to an increased susceptibility to neonatal hypoxic-ischemic (HI) cerebral injury. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that in neonatal rats subjected to a unilateral HI cerebral insult, prior administration of E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) augments (1) complement-mediated serum hemolytic activity, and (2) C3 mRNA and C9 mRNA levels in hepatic and cerebral tissue. Pregnant rats were injected subcutaneously with sterile normal saline (NS) or 500 μg/kg of LPS on gestational days 18 and 19. Following birth, the pups received intraperitoneal injections of NS or 250 μg/kg of LPS on postnatal days 3 and 5. On postnatal day 7, each animal was subjected to ligation of the right common carotid artery followed by 2.5 h of hypoxia (8% O 2 ). At 3, 6,18, 24 and 48 h after hypoxia, the complement-mediated hemolytic activity of pooled serum was measured. Hepatic and cerebral C3 mRNA and C9 mRNA were quantified by qRT-PCR at 3, 6, and 18 h after HI. Serum hemolytic activity, hepatic C3 mRNA, and hepatic C9 mRNA were up-regulated after cerebral HI. LPS administration potentiated the effect of HI on serum hemolytic activity and increased cerebral C3 mRNA levels. Cerebral C9 mRNA was not detected and was not affected by HI, with or without the prior LPS administration. These observations support the theory that previously reported C9-mediated neurotoxicity following cerebral HI is induced by circulating, rather than locally synthesized C9.
The chemical warfare legacy of the Yemen war

Abstract Chemical weapons use in the modern Middle East began with the Yemen War of 1962–1967. Egyptian chemical attacks against hostile Yemeni tribesmen were initiated at a modest and fairly ineffective level in 1963. They became deadlier, however, as time went on and the scope of the Egyptian military presence in Yemen (later North Yemen) expanded. Had it not been for the Egyptian military defeat in the June 1967 war with Israel, chemical attacks could have become a fundamental part of Egyptian strategy for defeating the Yemenis. While the chemical attacks were not carried to their logical conclusion in Yemen, this conflict is, nevertheless, an important benchmark for understanding later activity in the Middle East regarding chemical weapons.
Role of Hydrophobic Residues in the Central Ectodomain of gp41 in Maintaining the Association between Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Envelope Glycoprotein Subunits gp120 and gp41

The interaction between the gp120 and gp41 subunits of the human immunodeficiency virus envelope glycoprotein serves to stabilize the virion form of the complex and to transmit receptor-induced conformational changes in gp120 to trigger the membrane fusion activity of gp41. In this study, we used site-directed mutagenesis to identify amino acid residues in the central ectodomain of gp41 that contribute to the stability of the gp120-gp41 association. We identified alanine mutations at six positions, including four tryptophan residues, which result in mutant envelope glycoprotein complexes that fail to retain gp120 on the cell surface. These envelope glycoproteins readily shed their gp120 and are unable to mediate cell-cell fusion. These findings suggest an important role for the conserved bulky hydrophobic residues in stabilizing the gp120-gp41 complex.
The genus Phlebovirus and its vectors

Repartition geographique. Importance en sante publique, biologie des vecteurs, interaction virus vecteur. Mecanismes de maintenance
Outcome Studies of Schizoaffective Disorders

Outcome studies of schizoaffecti ve disorder have taught us much about the long-term consequences of the syndrome, and they have provided some indication of the potential usefulness of maintaining "schizoaffective disorder" as a diagnostic category separate from schizophrenia and major affective disorder. In a review of outcome studies that compared schizoaffective patients to schizophrenic or affective patients, we found consistent results despite wide variations in diagnostic criteria, length of followup, and demographic characteristics. Global measures of outcome show that schizophrenic patients are more impaired than schizoaffective patients, who in turn are more impaired than affective patients. However, studies of specific outcome domains such as symptomatology, social functioning, and occupational functioning indicate that schizoaffective disorder is heterogeneous and that subtyping by polarity (e.g., schizoaffective-manic vs. schizoaffective-depressed) accounts for some of this variance. The consistency of these findings in the face of methodologica l variability suggests that it would be premature to classify schizoaffective patients with schizophrenia or affective disorder, but also that strict diagnostic criteria for schizoaffective disorder are at best preliminary and need to be thoroughly validated.
Sequence variation of alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) paralogs in cactophilic Drosophila.

This study focuses on the population genetics of alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) in cactophilic Drosophila. Drosophila mojavensis and D. arizonae utilize cactus hosts, and each host contains a characteristic mixture of alcohol compounds. In these Drosophila species there are two functional Adh loci, an adult form (Adh-2) and a larval and ovarian form (Adh-1). Overall, the greater level of variation segregating in D. arizonae than in D. mojavensis suggests a larger population size for D. arizonae. There are markedly different patterns of variation between the paralogs across both species. A 16-bp intron haplotype segregates in both species at Adh-2, apparently the product of an ancient gene conversion event between the paralogs, which suggests that there is selection for the maintenance of the intron structure possibly for the maintenance of premRNA structure. We observe a pattern of variation consistent with adaptive protein evolution in the D. mojavensis lineage at Adh-1, suggesting that the cactus host shift that occurred in the divergence of D. mojavensis from D. arizonae had an effect on the evolution of the larval expressed paralog. Contrary to previous work we estimate a recent time for both the divergence of D. mojavensis and D. arizonae (2.4 0.7 MY) and the age of the gene duplication (3.95 0.45 MY).
A comparison between professionally (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) and volunteer (Florida LAKEWATCH) collected trophic state chemistry data in Florida

Abstract Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) professional biologists and Florida LAKEWATCH volunteers sampled 27 Florida lakes simultaneously to measure the concentrations of total phosphorus, total nitrogen, and chlorophyll. Each program used their Standard Operating Procedures for both field and laboratory activities to determine data comparability. Results showed that LAKEWATCH data were nearly equivalent to FDEP's, which were collected using stringent quality assurance (QA) protocols and analyzed in a National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC)-certified laboratory in compliance with the state's QA rule. The R2 values for paired comparisons of total phosphorus, total nitrogen, and chlorophyll were 0.97, 0.90, and 0.97, respectively, indicating functionally equal values between programs. Properly trained volunteers should be viewed as partners, and volunteer monitoring can be embraced as a robust tool for obtaining credible, cost-effective data. Studies like thi...
Numerical and experimental investigation of an ultrawideband ridged pyramidal horn antenna with curved launching plane for pulse radiation

We report the numerical analysis and experimental characterization of an ultrawideband (UWB) antenna designed for radiating short microwave pulses. The antenna consists of a pyramidal horn, a ridge, and a curved launching plane terminated with resistors. The pyramidal horn is connected to the outer conductor of the coaxial feed and serves as the ground plane. The curved launching plane is connected to the central conductor of the coaxial feed. Detailed three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations have been conducted to assist with the characterization of the antenna. FDTD results are compared with experimental data and are shown to be in good agreement. We demonstrate that the antenna exhibits a very low voltage standing wave ratio (/spl les/1.5) over a wide frequency range from 1 to 11 GHz and a very high fidelity (/spl ges/0.92). The spatial distribution of radiated energy is characterized both in the time domain, using transient field observations at various angles, as well as in the frequency domain, using single-frequency far-field radiation patterns. We conclude that this antenna offers high-fidelity transmission and reception of ultrashort microwave pulses with minimal distortion.
Analysis of amplitude spectral area and slope to predict defibrillation in out of hospital cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation (VF) according to VF type: Recurrent versus shock-resistant

Abstract Background In out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) due to ventricular fibrillation (VF), VF may recur during resuscitation (recurrent VF) or fail to defibrillate (shock-resistant VF). While retrospective studies have suggested that amplitude spectral area (AMSA) and slope predict defibrillation, it is unknown whether the predictive power is influenced by VF type. We hypothesized that in witnessed OHCA with initial rhythm of VF that the utility for AMSA and slope to predict defibrillation would differ between shock-resistant and recurrent VF. Methods AMSA and slope were measured immediately prior to each shock. For second or later shocks, VF was classified as recurrent or shock-resistant. Cardiac arrest was classified according to whether the majority of shocks were for recurrent VF or shock-resistant VF. Results 44 patients received 98 shocks for recurrent VF and 96 shocks for shock-resistant VF; 24 patients achieved ROSC in the field. AMSA and slope were higher in recurrent VF compared to shock-resistant VF (AMSA: 28.8±13.1 vs 15.2±8.6mVHz, P −1 , P =0.001). Recurrent VF was more likely to defibrillate than shock-resistant VF ( P P P =0.10). Conclusions In witnessed OHCA with VF as initial rhythm, recurrent VF is associated with higher values of AMSA and slope and is likely to re-defibrillate. However, when VF is shock-resistant, AMSA and slope are highly predictive of defibrillation.
Toward a comprehensive language for biological systems

Rule-based modeling has become a powerful approach for modeling intracellular networks, which are characterized by rich molecular diversity. Truly comprehensive models of cell behavior, however, must address spatial complexity at both the intracellular level and at the level of interacting populations of cells, and will require richer modeling languages and tools. A recent paper in BMC Systems Biology represents a signifcant step toward the development of a unified modeling language and software platform for the development of multi-level, multiscale biological models.
Understanding body dissatisfaction in gay and heterosexual men: The roles of self-esteem, media, and peer influence.

This study examines differences in body dissatisfaction among gay and heterosexual men. Specifically, media, peer influence, and self-esteem are explored as potential variables in understanding these differences. Fifty-four Caucasian heterosexual males and eighty-two Caucasian gay males between the ages of eighteen and seventy-three participated in this study. The main findings of the current study are (a) gay men reported significantly more body dissatisfaction than heterosexual men; (b) significantly more men report a desire to lose weight than to gain weight, with gay men reporting a significantly smaller ideal weight than heterosexual men; (c) the magnitude of the relationship between self-esteem and body dissatisfaction was not significantly different for gay and heterosexual men; (d) media influence was more strongly related to body dissatisfaction and self-esteem for gay men than for heterosexual men; and (e) the magnitude of the relationship between weight-related peer teasing and self-esteem was ...
Induction of Glioblastoma Apoptosis Using Neural Stem Cell-mediated Delivery of Tumor Necrosis Factor-related Apoptosis-inducing Ligand

Current therapies for gliomas fail to address their highly infiltrative nature. Standard treatments often leave behind microscopic neoplastic reservoirs, resulting in eventual tumor recurrence. Neural stem cells (NSCs) are capable of tracking disseminating glioma cells. To exploit this tropism to develop a therapeutic strategy that targeted tumor satellites, we inoculated human glioblastoma xenografts with tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-secreting NSCs. This resulted in the dramatic induction of apoptosis in treated tumors and tumor satellites and was associated with significant inhibition of tumor growth. These results add credence to the potential of NSCs as therapeutically effective delivery vehicles for the treatment of intracranial glioma.
Memory -encoding vibrations in a disconnecting air bubble

Conventional wisdom suggests that it should be impossible for information to pass across a singularity. A study of the behaviour of air bubbles as they disconnect from a submerged nozzle suggests that this isn’t always the case.
Support of Case-Based Authentic Learning Activities: A Collaborative Case Commenting Tool and a Collaborative Case Builder

Cases are widely used in professional education to engage learners with examples of real world practices. Collaboration in case-based learning can add to the authenticity of the experience by encouraging learners to synthesize multiple perspectives. In this paper, we present some of our experiences in collaborative case-based learning in the context of a usability engineering (UE) course. The work reported here is part of an ongoing project designing UE cases and learning activities that use them; more recently we have begun to explore the role of collaborative activities and tools in case- based learning. We describe the activities that were developed and fielded in two different UE courses, and two collaborative tools created to support these activities - a collaborative case browser and a collaborative case builder. Students were positive about both types of collaborative activities and offered suggestions for how to enhance effectiveness in the future.
The association of activity level, parent mental distress, and parental involvement and monitoring with unintentional injury risk in fifth graders.

OBJECTIVE: Extend findings with young children by examining the strength of association of activity level, parent mental distress, and parental involvement and monitoring with fifth graders' unintentional injuries. METHODS: Ordinal logistic regression models were used to predict unintentional injury frequency among 4745 fifth-graders. Examined predictors included demographics, parent reports of mental distress, temperamental activity level (tendency to be fidgety, restless, and constantly in motion), and parental involvement and monitoring in adolescents' lives. RESULTS: Higher levels of both activity level and parent mental distress predicted more frequent injuries. CONCLUSIONS: As has been found with younger children, unintentional injuries in fifth graders are associated with both parent and child characteristics. The result is discussed in the context of adolescent development. Implications include those for injury prevention (multi-dimensional prevention strategies that incorporate environmental modifications as well as training of youth and parents) and future research (study of potential mechanisms behind injury risk behavior via longitudinal and experimental research; study of injury risk during this phase of child development). Language: en
Online Tutoring and the Offshoring of Education

With the rise of the Internet, tutoring - one-on-one adult- to-child instruction - has moved into the virtual realm. Now, widespread access to increasingly sophisticated and inexpensive computer equipment combined with economic considerations have resulted in the tutoring business moving offshore, particularly to India. This paper explores the resulting debate about the appropriateness and effectiveness of offshore, online tutoring and what makes for quality online tutoring in general.
The Paf1 Complex Represses ARG1 Transcription in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by Promoting Histone Modifications

The conserved multifunctional Paf1 complex is important for the proper transcription of numerous genes, and yet the exact mechanisms by which it controls gene expression remain unclear. While previous studies indicate that the Paf1 complex is a positive regulator of transcription, the repression of many genes also requires the Paf1 complex. In this study we used ARG1 as a model gene to study transcriptional repression by the Paf1 complex in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We found that several members of the Paf1 complex contribute to ARG1 repression and that the complex localizes to the ARG1 promoter and coding region in repressing conditions, which is consistent with a direct repressive function. Furthermore, Paf1 complex-dependent histone modifications are enriched at the ARG1 locus in repressing conditions, and histone H3 lysine 4 methylation contributes to ARG1 repression. Consistent with previous reports, histone H2B monoubiquitylation, the mark upstream of histone H3 lysine 4 methylation, is also important for ARG1 repression. To begin to identify the mechanistic basis for Paf1 complex-mediated repression of ARG1, we focused on the Rtf1 subunit of the complex. Through an analysis of RTF1 mutations that abrogate known Rtf1 activities, we found that Rtf1 mediates ARG1 repression primarily by facilitating histone modifications. Other members of the Paf1 complex, such as Paf1, appear to repress ARG1 through additional mechanisms. Together, our results suggest that Rtf1-dependent histone H2B ubiquitylation and H3 K4 methylation repress ARG1 expression and that histone modifications normally associated with active transcription can occur at repressed loci and contribute to transcriptional repression.
A comparison of next-fit, first-fit, and best-fit

“Next-fit” allocation differs from first-fit in that a first-fit allocator commences its search for free space at a fixed end of memory, whereas a next-fit allocator commences its search wherever it previously stopped searching. This strategy is called “modified first-fit” by Shore [2] and is significantly faster than the first-fit allocator. To evaluate the relative efficiency of next-fit (as well as to confirm Shore's results) a simulation was written in Basic Plus on the PDP-11, using doubly linked lists to emulate the memory structure of the simulated computer. The simulation was designed to perform essentially in the manner described in [2]. The results of the simulation of the three methods show that the efficiency of next-fit is decidedly inferior to first-fit and best-fit when the mean size of the block requested is less than about 1/16 the total memory available. Beyond this point all three allocation schemes have similar efficiencies.
Influence of Litter Type and Size on Broiler Performance.2. Processed Newspaper Litter Particle Size and Management

Abstract In three floor pen trials involving a total of 14,400 broilers, three particle sizes of processed newspaper (PN) were compared to sawdust as broiler litter. Litter treatments consisted of: hardwood sawdust (SD) as a control, a large particle processed newspaper (L-PN) ranging from 1.27 to 2.54 cm diameter, a medium size (M-PN) of .64 to 1.27 cm, and a small size (S-PN) with particles less than .64 cm diameter. The M-PN and S-PN were used both as a base layer and as a topping agent over a SD base in Trials 2 and 3. In all trials, broilers reared on the S-PN and M-PN used as a base or as a topping had numerically or statistically improved body weights over SD at 10, 28, and 49 days of age. In addition, the birds reared on SD had significantly higher mortality than all other treatments in Trial 2. Litter treatment had no significant effect on feed efficiency, litter cake, or total disease condemnations. The effect on conformation was not consistent between trials. The incidence of breast blisters was comparable to that of SD when the particle size of PN was reduced or when the PN was used as a topping. Broilers reared on PN had improved feathering, but the intensity of yellow color of the skin was reduced more than for broilers reared on SD.
Popular Research and Social Transformation: A Community-Based Approach to Critical Pedagogy.

* This report focuses on the application of critical pedagogy at El Barrio Popular Education Program, a community-based adult education program in New York City. It is a vignette of a more complex picture of what the participants and the staff of the program accomplished together between 1990 and 1996. During that period, I served as executive director of the organization and as the coordinator of its educational programs. The program, which was committed to the implementation of participatory education and the goals of bilingualism and biliteracy, integrated the teaching of Spanish-language literacy and basic education with ESL, computer and video technology, and popular research-that is, investigations designed, conducted, analyzed, and produced by the learners on topics significant to them. The concept of critical pedagogy as used in this report places language at the center of the curriculum. The students' native language was used not only as an aid to learning English but also as a terrain of knowledge and a field of possibilities that linked students' experiences to collective action. The use of Spanish gave the students the opportunity to use their own reality as the basis of the literacy program and enabled them to reconstruct their history and culture (Freire & Macedo, 1987). Through the use of their own vernacular, the students produced new forms of knowledge that they made accessible to the community. They produced this knowledge by engaging in investigations-called popular
High Breakdown Voltage Achieved on AlGaN/GaN HEMTs With Integrated Slant Field Plates

A self-aligned "slant-field-plate" technology is presented as an improvement over the discrete multiple field plates for high breakdown voltage AlGaN/GaN HEMTs. Devices were tested in Fluorinert to eliminate the breakdown of air, which was identified to limit the breakdown voltage in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs. A single integrated field plate, which is self-aligned with the gate, is shown to support more than a kilovolt breakdown voltage (Vbr up to 1900 V was measured with Fluorinert). Devices made with this technology show a good large signal-frequency behavior. Various issues regarding breakdown measurements and interpretation of measurement results are presented
Impact of inflammatory bowel disease and ursodeoxycholic acid therapy on small-duct primary sclerosing cholangitis.

A longitudinal, cohort study was performed to characterize the clinical features of patients with small-duct primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) occurring with and without inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to determine the influence of IBD and the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) therapy on the course of the liver disease. Forty-two patients with small-duct PSC (14 women and 28 men; mean age, 36.7 ± 13.3 years) were followed for up to 24.9 years. At presentation, prevalence of signs of liver disease (none versus 35%, P = 0.002), gastroesophageal varices (5% versus 30%, P = 0.03), and stage III/IV disease (9% versus 45%, P = 0.008) were lower in those with IBD versus those without IBD. During follow-up, 6 patients underwent liver transplantation, and another died of cirrhosis. Using the Cox proportional hazard analysis, concomitant IBD was not associated with liver death or transplant, whereas the revised Mayo risk score for PSC was the only prognostic factor associated with liver-related outcomes (relative risk, 6.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.75-137.5). UDCA (13-15 mg/kg/day) therapy for an average of 40 months showed biochemical improvement (P < 0.001) in UDCA-treated patients, while no significant change occurred in untreated patients. UDCA therapy had no effect on delaying progression of disease (relative risk, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.38-2.36). Conclusion: Small-duct PSC often is recognized at an early stage in patients with IBD; however, IBD has no impact on long-term prognosis. Although UDCA therapy improves liver biochemistries, it may not delay disease progression during the short period of treatment. (HEPATOLOGY 2008.)
What is Materials Chemistry

Life in the 21st century is ever dependent on an unlimited variety of advanced materials. In our consumptive world, it is easy to take for granted the macro-, micro-, and nanoscopic building blocks that comprise any item ever produced. We are spoiled by the technology that adds convenience to our lives, such as microwave ovens, laptop computers, digital cell phones, and improved modes of transportation. However, we rarely take time to think about and appreciate the materials that constitute these modern engineering feats.
Children's Power for Learning in the Age of Technology

This chapter situates discussions of children’s power for learning in the context of new media and technology. We assert that for learning to take place, children must exert their own power and take initiatives in their learning; yet, the current power structure of classrooms inhibits children from exerting their power and motivation for learning. Tracing the seminal works on power, we provide examples of children’s power in learning and argue for a power structure transformation necessary in a technologyrich classroom of the twenty-first century.
Oscillator PM Noise Reduction From Correlated AM Noise

We demonstrate a novel technique for reducing the phase modulation (PM) noise of an oscillator in a steady-state condition as well as under vibration. It utilizes correlation between PM noise and amplitude modulation (AM) noise that can originate from the oscillator’s loop components. A control voltage proportional to the correlated AM noise is generated and utilized in a feedforward architecture to correct for the steady state as well as the vibration-induced PM noise. An improvement of almost 10–15 dB in PM noise is observed over one decade of offset frequencies for a 635-MHz quartz-MEMS oscillator. This corresponds to more than a factor of five reductions in vibration sensitivity.
qRead: A fast and accurate article extraction method from web pages using partition features optimizations

We present a new method called qRead to achieve real-time content extractions from web pages with high accuracy. Early approaches to content extractions include empirical filtering rules, Document Object Model (DOM) trees, and machine learning models. These methods, while having met with certain success, may not meet the requirements of real-time extraction with high accuracy. For example, constructing a DOM-tree on a complex web page is time-consuming, and using machine learning models could make things unnecessarily more complicated. Different from previous approaches, qRead uses segment densities and similarities to identify main contents. In particular, qRead first filters obvious junk contents, eliminates HTML tags, and partitions the remaining text into natural segments. It then uses the highest ratio of words over the number of lines in a segment combined with similarity between the segment and the title to identify main contents. We show that, through extensive experiments, qRead achieves a 96.8% accuracy on Chinese web pages with an average extraction time of 13.20 milliseconds, and a 93.6% accuracy on English web pages with an average extraction time of 11.37 milliseconds, providing substantial improvements on accuracy over previous approaches and meeting the real-time extraction requirement.