cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CNTF induces GFAP in a S-100α brain cell population: the pattern of CNTF-αR suggests an indirect mode of action

Abstract In a recent report, we demonstrated that intracerebral injections of the pleiotropic cytokine, ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), into developing postnatal rats evoked a severe inflammatory response as determined by the appearance of reactive astrocytes and activated microglia. Considering the likely involvement of CNTF in the injury response, we felt it was important to further understand the role of CNTF in the developing rat CNS. In this study, we examined the responsiveness of other cell populations to intracerebral injections of CNTF. We report that CNTF increases glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), while having no appreciable effect on the levels of other intermediate filaments including vimentin and neurofilament. Moreover, CNTF did not affect the expression of the mature oligodendrocyte gene, myelin basic protein. These results suggest that CNTF is highly specific in its regulation of GFAP. In our previous study, we showed CNTF to increase GFAP in a cell population that already exists in the CNS parenchyma. To determine the origin of the CNTF-induced reactive astrocytes, therefore, we have utilized a technique of combined in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry. To examine the possibility that CNTF acts on oligodendrocyte precursors to give rise to reactive astrocytes, the platelet-derived growth factor alpha receptor (PDGF-αR) was utilized as a riboprobe in conjunction with an antibody to GFAP. Examination of CNTF-induced GFAP + astrocytes revealed no colocalization with PDGF-αR mRNA. In contrast, when we utilized an S100α antibody recognizing a calcium binding protein in immature astrocytes, we found colocalization of S100α and GFAP mRNA. These data suggest that CNTF induces an upregulation of GFAP in immature S100α + astrocytes. Examination of the CNTF-α receptor mRNA revealed no change in expression following CNTF treatment. Unexpectedly, however, the CNTF-induced astrogliotic response appears to be indirect since the CNTF-α receptor was solely expressed by neurons in the cytokine-treated animals.
Anti aldol selectivity in a synthetic approach to the C1-C12 fragment of the tedanolides.

In a synthetic approach to the completely protected C1−C12 fragment of the macrocyclic cytotoxic agent tedanolide 1, we carried out the tin-catalyzed Mukaiyama aldol reaction between the 2,3-dialkoxypropanal 5 and the silyl enol ether 6 derived from the ketone 7, which gave, unexpectedly, the anti aldol isomer, rather than the expected syn isomer 4, as the major diastereomer formed.
The reactions of Ir(CO)Cl(PPh3)2 with HSnPh3

Abstract A reinvestigation of the reaction of Ir(CO)Cl(PPh3)2, 1 with HSnPh3 has revealed that the oxidative-addition product Ir(CO)Cl(PPh3)2(H)(SnPh3), 2 has the H and SnPh3 ligands in cis-related coordination sites. Compound 2 reacts with a second equivalent of HSnPh3 by a Cl for H ligand exchange to yield the new compound H2Ir(CO)(SnPh3)(PPh3)2, 3. Compound 3 contains two cis- related hydride ligands. Under an atmosphere of CO, 1 reacts with HSnPh3 to replace the Cl ligand with SnPh3 and one of the PPh3 ligands with a CO ligand and also adds a second equivalent of CO to yield the 5-coordinate complex Ir(CO)3(SnPh3)(PPh3), 4. Compound 4 reacts with HSnPh3 by loss of CO and oxidative addition of the Sn-H bond to yield the 6-coordinate complex HIr(CO)2(SnPh3)2(PPh3), 5 that contains two trans-positioned SnPh3 ligands.
Atmospheric, Long Baseline, and Reactor Neutrino Data Constraints on θ 13

An atmospheric neutrino oscillation tool that uses full three-neutrino oscillation probabilities and a full three-neutrino treatment of the Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein effect, together with an analysis of the K2K, MINOS, and CHOOZ data, is used to examine the bounds on ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{13}$. The recent, more finely binned, Super-K atmospheric data are employed. For $L/{E}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}{10}^{4}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{km}/\mathrm{GeV}$, we previously found significant linear in ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{13}$ terms. This analysis finds ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{13}$ bounded from above by the atmospheric data while bounded from below by CHOOZ. The origin of this result arises from data in the previously mentioned very long baseline region; here, matter effects conspire with terms linear in ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{13}$ to produce asymmetric bounds on ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{13}$. Assuming $CP$ conservation, we find ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{13}=\ensuremath{-}{0.07}_{\ensuremath{-}0.11}^{+0.18}$ (90% C.L.).
An extension of the contraction principle

The concept of quasi-continuity and the new concept of almost compactness for a function are the basis for the extension of the contraction principle in large deviations presented here. Important equivalences for quasi-continuity are proved in the case of metric spaces. The relation between the exponential tightness of a sequence of stochastic processes and the exponential tightness of its transform (via an almost compact function) is studied here in metric spaces. Counterexamples are given to the nonmetric case. Relations between almost compactness of a function and the goodness of a rate function are studied. Applications of the main theorem are given, including to an approximation of the stochastic integral.
Building net-centric military applications over service oriented architectures

We compare the overall structure of military GIG and NCES architectures with that of the object oriented architectures (CORBA, J2EE and .NET) and of the emerging Web Services architecture. While the match is good in many ways, particularly with respect to Web Services, we also identify a series of shortcomings that could stymie attempts to implement a GIG or NCES system directly on a commercial Web Services platform. Our comparison leads to suggestions for experimental investigations of some topics, but also for more fundamental inquiry in some areas where the scientific base is inadequate. Several issues of the latter sort arise when we consider the mixture of scalability, security, robustness, and time-criticality that must be simultaneously satisfied in demanding military applications.
Self-Concepts of Disabled Youth Athletes

A self-concept inventory was administered to 158 youth athletes, ages 9 to 18 yr. (M = 13.94 yr., SD = 2.63) who competed in the first Pan American Victory Games for Physically Disabled Youth. Disabilities represented were blind (n = 57), cerebral palsy (n = 52), dwarfs (n = 18), spinal cord injured (n = 12), amputation (n = 10), and les autres (n = 9). The purpose was to examine the self-concepts of disabled youth athletes and begin a data base. Analysis indicated that mean self-concept scores fell within or were close to ranges of means for able-bodied youth, as given in the test manual.
The Computational Complexity of Differential and Integral Equations: An Information-Based Approach

Introduction EXAMPLE: A TWO-POINT BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEM: Introduction Error, cost, and complexity A minimal error algorithm Complexity bounds Comparison with the finite element method Standard information Final remarks GENERAL FORMULATION: Introduction Problem formulation Information Model of computation Algorithms, their errors, and their costs Complexity Randomized setting Asymptotic setting THE WORST CASE SETTING: GENERAL RESULTS: Introduction Radius and diameter Complexity Linear problems The residual error criterion ELLIPTIC PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS IN THE WORST CASE SETTING Introduction Variational elliptic boundary value problems Problem formulation The normed case with arbitrary linear information The normed case with standard information The seminormed case Can adaption ever help? OTHER PROBLEMS IN THE WORST CASE SETTING: Introduction Linear elliptic systems Fredholm problems of the second kind Ill-posed problems Ordinary differential equations THE AVERAGE CASE SETTING: Introduction Some basic measure theory General results for the average case setting Complexity of shift-invariant problems Ill-posed problems The probabilistic setting COMPLEXITY IN THE ASYMPTOTIC AND RANDOMIZED SETTINGS: Introduction Asymptotic setting Randomized setting Appendices Bibliography.
Developing guidelines for replanting grain sorghum: I. Validation and sensitivity analysis of the SORKAM sorghum growth model

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] producers often have difficulty determining when plant stands are low enough to merit replanting. Our objective was to use SORKAM, a sorghum growth model, to develop guidelines for replanting grain sorghum. A necessary first step is validation of the model over an extensive range of management and environmental factors. Validation was accomplished using 19 field data sets representing 11 yr and six Kansas locations. Several nonparametric tests were used to compare observed and simulated yields, yield components, and phenological dates. In addition, sensitivities of yield and yield components were determined in response to yearly climate, planting date, plant population, and maturity class changes. Model sensitivities were compared with sensitivities calculated from field data. While phenological predictions were adequate, SORKAM could capture only 27 to 79% of grain yield variability at the locations tested. Yield predictions from different plant populations within a planting date were particularly inaccurate. The validation and sensitivity analyses showed that the poor yield predictions were the result of improper computation of tiller number and faulty partitioning of biomass to caryopsis weight. Partitioning errors translocated enough assimilate from culm to grain to make yields essentially constant across populations within a planting date. To use SORKAM to generate replant guidelines, improvements must be made in modeling the relationships among yield components and the source-sink relationship that determines caryopsis weight.
Content in Spreading Factor and Toxins in Organs and Poisonous Secretions of Snakes.

SummarySpreading factor and venom are found only in negligible amounts in the secreting cells of the venom gland of snakes. As both the factors appear together in the secretion they either act together as a unit or are the same substance. The spreading factor in moderate amounts exists in most tissues from both poisonous and harmless snakes.
Mafic magmas from Mount Baker in the northern Cascade arc, Washington: probes into mantle and crustal processes

Five mafic lava flows located on the southern flank of Mount Baker are among the most primitive in the volcanic field. A comprehensive dataset of whole rock and mineral chemistry reveals the diversity of these mafic lavas that come from distinct sources and have been variably affected by ascent through the crust. Disequilibrium textures present in all of the lavas indicate that crustal processes have affected the magmas. Despite this evidence, mantle source characteristics have been retained and three primitive endmember lava types are represented. These include (1) modified low-K tholeiitic basalt (LKOT-like), (2) typical calc-alkaline (CA) lavas, and (3) high-Mg basaltic andesite and andesite (HMBA and HMA). The Type 1 endmember, the basalt of Park Butte (49.3–50.3 wt% SiO2, Mg# 64–65), has major element chemistry similar to LKOT found elsewhere in the Cascades. Park Butte also has the lowest overall abundances of trace elements (with the exception of the HREE), indicating it is either derived from the most depleted mantle source or has undergone the largest degree of partial melting. The Type 2 endmember is represented by the basalts of Lake Shannon (50.7–52.6 wt% SiO2, Mg# 58–62) and Sulphur Creek (51.2–54.6 wt% SiO2, Mg# 56–57). These two lavas are comparable to calc-alkaline rocks found in arcs worldwide and have similar trace element patterns; however, they differ from each other in abundances of REE, indicating variation in degree of partial melting or fractionation. The Type 3 endmember is represented by the HMBA of Tarn Plateau (51.8–54.0 wt% SiO2, Mg# 68–70) and the HMA of Glacier Creek (58.3–58.7 wt% SiO2, Mg# 63–64). The strongly depleted HREE nature of these Type 3 units and their decreasing Mg# with increasing SiO2 suggests fractionation from a high-Mg basaltic parent derived from a source with residual garnet. Another basaltic andesite unit, Cathedral Crag (52.2–52.6 wt% SiO2, Mg# 55–58), is an Mg-poor differentiate of the Type 3 endmember. The calc-alkaline lavas are least enriched in a subduction component (lowest H2O, Sr/PN, and Ba/Nb), the LKOT-like lavas are intermediate (moderate Sr/PN and Ba/Nb), and the HMBA are most enriched (highest H2O, Sr/PN and Ba/Nb). The generation of the LKOT-like and calc-alkaline lavas can be successfully modeled by partial melting of a spinel lherzolite with variability in composition of slab flux and/or mantle source depletion. The HMBA lavas can be successfully modeled by partial melting of a garnet lherzolite with slab flux compositionally similar to the other lava types, or less likely by partial melting of a spinel lherzolite with a distinctly different, HREE-depleted slab flux.
Surface intermediates during the catalytic reduction of NO on rhodium catalysts: a kinetic inference

Abstract Isothermal kinetic studies on the reduction of NO by CO on Rh(1 1 1) single-crystal surfaces, performed under vacuum by using collimated effusive molecular beams, have provided information on the coverages and nature of the surface intermediates involved in that reaction under catalytic conditions. Three major conclusions were reached. First, the optimum rate of reaction is achieved when the steady-state coverages of NO and CO on the surface reach the 1:1 stoichiometric ratio. The surface coverages are controlled by a synergistic balance between the composition of the gas and the surface temperature: higher temperatures tend to require higher CO:NO ratios. Second, under optimum conditions the surface of the catalyst is mostly covered with atomic nitrogen. This nitrogen appears to cluster in islands, and further conversion to molecular nitrogen takes place preferentially at their periphery. Finally, the formation of molecular nitrogen under catalytic conditions is likely to involve the formation of a NNO intermediate. Evidence for these conclusions is provided.
Macroscopic quantum tunneling between dynamic states of long Josephson junctions

Abstract Measurements of tunneling rates between fluxon states of long Josephson junctions show a weak temperature dependence below 1 K and approach zero as T decreases towards 0 K. We show that the dynamics of a dissipative two-level system applies to such transitions and that this is a strong candidate for observing macroscopic quantum coherence.
Fearful temperament and stress reactivity among preschool‐aged children

In this study, we examined the relation between physiological stress-reactivity and temperamental fearfulness in 162 preschool-aged children. Both the autonomic and neuroendocrine arms of the mammalian stress system were examined. Larger stress responses were defined as greater sympathetic activation, parasympathetic withdrawal and cortisol increases to stressor tasks. Fearful temperament was examined using parent report and behavior in response to fear-evocative laboratory tasks. There was little evidence that larger sympathetic activation or parasympathetic withdrawal was associated with fearful temperament. Greater cortisol reactivity, however, was associated with fearful temperament. Additional analyses examined those children who were consistently fearful across all measures, and the results remained largely the same. However, there was some suggestion that consistently fearful compared to non-fearful children might be more likely to exhibit sympathetic activation to the fear-evocative stimuli. These findings provide support for the argument that fearful temperament is associated with greater stress reactivity in young children. Nonetheless the size of the associations was small and future studies will need to determine whether reactivity of stress-sensitive physiological systems contributes to the development of individual differences in fearful temperament or merely reflects these differences.
Evidence for the presence of repeating antigenic determinants in the major and minor polypeptides derived from hepatitis B surface antigen

Abstract The immunogenicity of the four major and seven minor hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-derived polypeptides was evaluated in guinea pigs and compared to that of 22-nm HBsAg particles. Both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses were determined. All antisera reacted with homologous HBsAg/ ayw and P22/ ayw . However, the glycosylated polypeptides (P25, P27, P31, and P52) generally elicited the most intense immune responses. At least nine polypeptides induced antibodies which also reacted with heterologous HBsAg/ adw particles and P22/ adw. Whole HBsAg/ ayw particles induced transformation in lymphocytes obtained from guinea pigs immunized with the major or minor polypeptides. These data tend to demonstrate that all HBsAg-derived polypeptides contain in their structure the group-specific and at least one of the subtype-specific antigenic determinants, and these determinants are also exposed on the surface of the HBsAg particle. It seems possible that a limited nucleotide sequence confers the same virus specificities to most if not all of the constitutive proteins of HBsAg.
Dealing with missing covariate data in fishery stock assessment models

Covariates are now commonly used in fisheries stock assessment models to provide additional information about model parameters, but their use can be complicated by missing values. A wide range of covariates have been used (e.g. environment, disease, predation, food, pollutants) to model different processes (e.g. recruitment, natural mortality, growth, catchability). Several approaches are available to deal with missing covariate values. We illustrate a likelihood based approach to deal with missing covariate data when including covariates into fisheries stock assessment models. The method treats the missing covariate values as parameters from a random effects distribution. The parameters of the random effects distribution are estimated based on the observed values of the covariate. The true likelihood is implemented by integrating across the missing value random effect and, in our stock assessment example, a random effect for unexplained variation in recruitment using Laplace approximation. Simulation analysis is used to test the performance of the method and compare it to alternative approaches: (1) ignoring the covariate altogether, (2) ignoring the years with missing covariate values, (3) substituting the missing values with the mean of the observed values, and (4) estimating the missing values as free parameters. We apply the simulation analysis to a linear regression and a statistical catch-at-age stock assessment model. The simulation analysis results indicate that the random effects method for dealing with missing covariate data works moderately well, but it does not provide a substantial benefit over other less complex methods.
Silent Survivors Rape Myth Acceptance in Incarcerated Women’s Narratives of Disclosure and Reporting of Rape

Prior research suggests that rape victims who do not disclose or report to the police give reasons including self-blame and fear of judgment; however, this research has not been conducted with inca...
Stress ratio effect on cyclic debonding in adhesively bonded composite joints

A study was conducted to investigate the stress ratio effect on cyclic debond growth behavior in adhesively bonded composite joints. The system studied consisted of graphite/epoxy adherends bonded with a toughened epoxy adhesive. This study showed that the strain energy release rate range was the driving factor for cyclic debonding of the tested bonded system when subjected to cyclic loads with different stress ratios for both mode I and mixed mode I-II loadings.
Trends in Skill of Daily Forecasts of Temperature and Precipitation, 1966–78

Abstract Forecasts of minimum temperature and precipitation amount at Boston have been made and evaluated in the Department of Meteorology, MIT, in essentially the same format since 1966. These forecasts refer to the first through fourth 24 h periods in advance and are partly categorical and partly probabilistic in form. The skill level in the consensus forecasts, relative to forecasts of the long-term mean, is slightly more than 50% for the first day and around 10% on the fourth, except for conditional quantitative precipitation forecasting, which is decidedly less skillful. Regression analysis shows, except for the first day, slight increases in the skill of these predictions, at a rate of about six-tenths of a percent per year. The skill of the guidance temperature forecasts of the National Meteorological Center has lagged the skill of the consensus forecasts by a decreasing amount from 1966 to 1972. The lag from 1972 to date has not changed significantly and varies between 10 and 30% of consensus skil...
Ketoconazole attenuates radiation-induction of tumor necrosis factor

Abstract Purpose : Previous work has demonstrated that inhibitors of phospholipase A2 attenuate ionizing radiation induced arachidonic acid production, protein kinase C activation and prevent subsequent induction of the tumor necrosis factor gene. Because arachidonic acid contributes to radiation-induced tumor necrosis factor expression, we analyzed the effects of agents which alter arachidonate metabolism on the regulation of this gene. Methods and Materials : Phospholipase A2 inhibitors quinicrine, bromphenyl bromide, and pentoxyfylline or the inhibitor of lipoxygenase (ketoconazole) or the inhibitor of cyclooxygenase (indomethacin) were added to cell culture 1 h prior to irradiation. Results : Radiation-induced tumor necrosis factor gene expression was attenuated by each of the phospholipase A2 inhibitors (quinicrine, bromphenyl bromide, and pentoxyfylline). Furthermore, ketoconazole attenuated X ray induced tumor necrosis factor gene expression. Conversely, indomethacin enhanced tumor necrosis factor expression following irradiation. Conclusion : The finding that radiation-induced tumor necrosis factor gene expression was attenuated by ketoconazole suggests that the lipoxygenase pathway participates in signal transduction preceding tumor necrosis factor induction. Enhancement of tumor necrosis factor expression by indomethacin following irradiation suggests that prostaglandins produced by cyclooxygenase act as negative regulators of tumor necrosis factor expression. Inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor induction ameliorate acute and subacute sequelae of radiotherapy. We propose therefore, that ketoconazole may reduce acute radiation sequelae such as mucositis and esophagitis through a reduction in tumor necrosis factor induction or inhibition of phospholipase A2 in addition to its antifungal activity.
Hierarchical target representation for autonomous recognition using distributed sensors

ABSTRACT A hierarchical 3-D multiview representation is used to modeltargets so that they can be efficiently recognized using sensorplatforms distributed over a common geographical area. Thehierarchical structure reduces storage requirements and thecommunication bandwidth required for data association betweenplatforms at each stage of the recognition process. 1. INTRODUCTION When a target can appear at any orientation relative to a sensor some type of three-dimensional (3-D) target or object representation must be used for recognition. The two types ofrepresentations typically used are either a single 3-D object- centered representation or multiple viewer-centered descriptions, each corresponding to features extracted from a projection of the target when it is within a particular range of possible orientations. Each type of representation offers a trade-off between processing time and storage requirements: 3-D object-centered models can be compactly stored, but time consuming transformations must be made between the object-centeredcoordinate system and the viewer-centered coordinate system inorder to match observed features with a model. 3-D multiview
High-speed gas chromatographic separations with diaphragm valve-based injection and chemometric analysis as a gas chromatographic sensor

Abstract A high-speed gas chromatography system, the gas chromatographic sensor (GCS), is developed and evaluated. The GCS combines fast separations and chemometric analysis to produce an instrument capable of high-speed, high-throughput screening and quantitative analysis of complex chemical mixtures on a similar time scale as typical chemical sensors. The GCS was evaluated with 28 test mixtures consisting of 15 compounds from four chemical classes: alkanes, ketones, alkyl benzenes, and alcohols. The chromatograms are on the order of one second in duration, which is considerably faster than the traditional use of gas chromatography. While complete chromatographic separation of each analyte peak is not aimed for, chemical information is readily extracted through chemometric data analysis and quantification of the samples is achieved in considerably less time than conventional gas chromatography. Calibration models to predict percent volume content of either alkanes or ketones were constructed using partial least squares (PLS) regression on calibration sets consisting of the five replicate GCS runs of six different samples. The percent volume content of the alkane and ketone chemical classes were predicted on five replicate runs of the 22 remaining samples ranging from 0 to 50 or 60% depending on the class. Root mean square errors of prediction were 2–3% relative to the mean percent volume values for either alkane or ketone prediction models, depending on the samples chosen for the calibration set of that model. The alkyl benzenes and alcohols present in the calibration sets or samples were treated as variable background interference. It is anticipated that the GCS will eventually be used to rapidly sample and directly analyze industrial processes or for the high throughput analysis of batches of samples.
Sorption of Single- and Multiple-Component Fumigants by Whole-Kernel Corn under Recirculation, and Correlated Mortality of Stored-Product Insects

Gas chromatography was used to determine the concentrations of acrylonitrile, carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride, chloropicrin, ethylene dibromide, ethylene dichloride, hydrocyanic acid, methyl bromide, and of fumigant mixtures (on a volume basis) of acrylonitrile-carbon tetrachloride (25–75), carbon disulfide-carbon tetrachloride (20–80), ethylene dichloridecarbon tetrachloride (75–25), and carbon tetrachloride-ethylene dichloride-ethylene dibromide (60–35-5), under conditions of no load and of a load of corn (whole-kernel grade No. 2 yellow) under recirculation of fumigant. Mortality of adults of Tribolium confusum Duv. and Sitopkilus oryza (L.) are included.
Soft Error Susceptibilities of 22 nm Tri-Gate Devices

We report on measured radiation-induced soft error rates (SER) of memory and logic devices built in a 22 nm high-k metal gate bulk Tri-Gate technology. Our results demonstrate excellent single event upset (SEU) scaling benefits of tri-gate devices. For cosmic radiation, SEU SER reduction levels of the order of are observed relative to 32 nm planar devices, while for alpha-particles, the measured SEU SER benefit is in excess of . Similar improvements are observed for Tri-Gate combinational logic and memory array multi-cell upset (MCU) rates. Reduced SER (RSER) device SER performances (relative to standard, non -RSER devices) are on par or better than that of tested 32 nm planar devices. Finally, a novel, efficient SER reduction design called RTS is introduced.
Chemical defense and aposematic coloration in larvae of the ascidian Ecteinascidia turbinata

In the coastal waters of Florida (USA) tadpole larvae of the colonial ascidian Ecteinascidia turbinata contain chemicals which make them unpalatable to planktivorous juvenile pinfish Lagodon rhomboides. Experiments demonstrate that the bright organe color of E. turbinata tadpoles is aposematic. Fish that have recently tasted larvae of E. turbinata will not attack the palatable tadpoles of Clavelina oblonga when the latter are dyed organe to resemble larvae of E. turbinata. Tadpoles of E. turbinata that have been mouthed and rejected by fish generally survive to complete a normal metamorphosis. Individual selection explains the evolution of aposematic coloration in E. turbinata better than kin selection. The identity of the defensive chemical is unknown. The unpalatable substance in larvae of E. turbinata is removed by dialysis, indicating that it has a molecular weight less than 14000 d. Larvae are not acidic, nor is the active substance denatured by doiling.
Literacy, Social Stigma, and HIV Medication Adherence

BACKGROUND Prior studies have linked limited literacy to poorer HIV medication adherence, although the precise causal pathways of this relationship have only been initially investigated.
Integration of Acid–Base and Electrolyte Disorders

This review, which describes an approach to acid–base disorders, incorporates insights and examples drawn from the traditional, bicarbonate-centered approach and the physicochemical, or strong ion, theory.
Local destabilization of the tropomyosin coiled coil gives the molecular flexibility required for actin binding.

Tropomyosin, a coiled coil protein that binds along the length of actin filaments, contains 40 uninterrupted heptapeptide repeats characteristic of coiled coils. Yet, it is flexible. Regions of tropomyosin that may be important for binding to the filament and for interacting with troponin deviate from canonical coiled coil structure in subtle ways, altering the local conformation or energetics without interrupting the coiled coil. In a region rich in interface alanines (an Ala cluster), the chains pack closer than in canonical coiled coils, and are staggered, resulting in a bend [Brown et al. (2001) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 98, 8496−8501]. Brown et al. suggested that bends at alanine clusters allow tropomyosin to wind on the actin filament helix. Another explanation is that local destabilization of the coiled coil, rather than close packing of the chains at Ala clusters per se, allows flexibility. Changing three Ala residues to canonical interface residues, A74L−A78V−A81L, greatly stabilized tropomyo...
On a Theorem of R. Jungen

Let us recall the following elementary result in the theory of analytic functions in one variable.
Fluoride Secretion in Rat Bile

The rate of bile secretion in fasted male rats and corresponding bile and plasma fluoride concentrations were studied to determine if significant quantities of fluoride are secreted into the small intestine from the bile duct during fluoride absorption. The osmolalities and fluoride levels were similar to those of plasma ; this suggests that the rat biliary system does not concentrate fluoride.
Detection of Mycoplasma fermentans in human saliva with a polymerase chain reaction-based assay

Abstract Mycoplasma fermentans and other mycoplasma species may be associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Little is known about the ecology of this micro-organism and its natural habitat. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay was used to detect M. fermentans in whole saliva. The hypothesis was tested that M. fermentans is present on the mucosal surfaces of the mouth and oropharynx. Whole saliva was collected from 110 adults. The 206-bp amplification product of DNA purified from these samples was detected in ethidium bromide-stained 6% polyacrylamide gels in 49 (44.5%) samples tested. All samples were confirmed by Southern blotting with a probe based on an internal sequence of the expected amplification product. The data suggest that this organism is often found in saliva and on oropharyngeal mucosal surfaces. Saliva may play a part in its transmission between individuals. Saliva sampling may be helpful in further studies of the ecology and distribution of the micro-organism in human populations.
Recommendations of the consensus development conference on dental implants

The conference sought a balanced and realistic appraisal of four commonly used implants in current clinical practice: the subperiosteal, stapleltransosteal, vitreous carbon, and blade. Definitions of success, benefit and risk, and guidelines for use of the implants are provided in conference recommendations.
Suspended Silicon-On-Insulator ring resonators

We experimentally demonstrate silicon-on-insulator (SOI) ring resonators suspended in air. A novel suspension method enables the high confinement devices to have Qpsilas exceeding 10,000.
It's Time to Stand up for Earth Science.

ABSTRACT This commentary paper focuses upon the loss of respect for Earth Sciences on the part of many school districts across the United States. Too many Earth Science teachers are uncertified to teach Earth Science, or hold certificates to teach the subject merely because they took a test. The Earth Sciences have faced this problem for many years (Nuhfer, 1990). In 1996, the National Science Education Standards (National Resource Council) put Earth Science on equal footing with both the life and physical sciences, but after middle school, many high school students do not even have a chance to take an Earth Science course because their schools do not deem Earth Science as worthy or even as a necessary science. This is echoed by many colleges and universities when they do not accept Earth Science as a science unit for entrance. This must change! With the Next Generation Science Standards (Achieve, 2012) on the horizon, educators from kindergarten to the university level must make a strategic effort to put...
Object-scalable mesh-based coding of synthetic and natural image objects

This paper presents an object-based image coding scheme, where each image object is encoded individually, provided that their boundaries are specified. This allows object-based quality scalability, in addition to mixing lossy and lossless coding modes depending on the requirements of each image object. Furthermore, we propose a new object coding method using 2-D mesh-based image sampling in which the quadrilateral mesh patches are warped into square blocks, and encoded by traditional data/waveform coding methods. Experimental results on test images are provided.
Emergence of Norms with Biased Interactions in Heterogeneous Agent Societies

Effective norms, emerging from sustained individual interactions over time, can complement societal rules and significantly enhance performance of individual agents and agent societies. We have recently used a model that supports the emergence of social norms via learning from interaction experiences (Sen and Airiau, 2007). Each interaction is framed as a stage game. An agent learns a policy to play the game from repeated interactions with multiple agents. We are particularly interested in finding out if the entire population learns to converge to a consistent norm when multiple action combinations yield the same optimal payoff. In this extension, we explore the effects of heterogeneous populations where different agents may be using different learning algorithms. We also investigate norm emergence when an agent is more likely to interact with other agents near by it.
figurative language In a universalist perspective

This paper assembles cross-language evidence documenting several high frequency, figurative labels for body parts: e.g., “child of the eye,” for pupil of the eye; “mother of the hand,” for thumb; “mouse of the arm,” for biceps. These figurative expressions occur in languages at frequencies that greatly exceed chance. In addition, their distribution is discontinuous across genetic and geographic language boundaries, indicating frequent independent invention. Repeated invention of similar figurative expressions is due to universal naming tendencies. These tendencies relate to underlying marking principles, intralanguage lexical constraints, physical world/perceptual givens, and language context and use considerations. [anatomical terminology, cognitive anthropology, folk classification, language universals, marking principles, metaphor]
Relationship of human papillomavirus to Schneiderian papillomas.

Objectives/Hypothesis: To classify a large group of Schneiderian papillomas (SPs) into their histologic subtypes and to determine the incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in each subtype. Study Design: Pathologic review and polymerase chain reaction-based (PCR-based) examination of archived tissue. Methods: Slides of 114 tumors diagnosed as Schneiderian, inverting, fungiform, or cylindric cell papillomas, or any associated carcinomas, were examined by a head and neck pathologist. Using PCR, consensus primers for the L1 region of HPV were used to determine the presence of HPV in the tumors. This was also performed on normal turbinate control specimens. Results: Eighty-two (78%) were the inverting subtype, 21 (20%) the fungiform subtype, and 2 (2%) the cylindric cell type. Nine tumors were diagnosed as either verrucous or squamous cell carcinoma. Eighty-eight percent of the tumors had DNA of sufficient quality to be amplified using PCR. Of these, 5 of 69 (6.8%) inverting, 17 of 17 (100%) fungiform, and 0 of 2 cylindric cell papillomas were positive for HPV. One of nine (11.1%) cancers was positive for HPV. No normal turbinate tissue contained HPV. HPV types 6b and 11 accounted for all cases of fungiform papillomas. Of the five HPV-positive inverting papillomas, three had HPV type 11 and two had HPV type 16. The single carcinoma containing HPV contained HPV type 18. Conclusions : The histologic subtype of SPs is important, as their etiologies appear to be different. HPV 6b and 11 appear to be involved in all cases of fungiform papillomas but are only rarely involved in cases of inverting or cylindric cell papillomas. HPV 16 may rarely play a role in cases of inverting papillomas, and HPV 16 and 18 may be involved in a subset of cases of carcinomas originating in an inverting papilloma.
Expanded Occupational Safety and Health Administration 300 log as metric for bariatric patient-handling staff injuries

Abstract Background Mobilization of morbidly obese patients poses significant physical challenges to healthcare providers. The purpose of this study was to examine the staff injuries associated with the patient handling of the obese, to describe a process for identifying injuries associated with their mobilization, and to report on the need for safer bariatric patient handling. Methods We performed our study at a 761-bed, level 1 trauma center affiliated with a U.S. medical school. The hospital's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 300 log was expanded to the “E-OSHA 300 log” to specifically identify injuries the staff attributed to bariatric patient handling. The 2007 E-OSHA 300 log was analyzed to identify and describe the frequency, severity, and nature of bariatric versus nonbariatric patient handling injuries. Results The analyses revealed that during 2007, although patients with a body mass index of ≥35 kg/m2 constituted Conclusion Manual mobilization of morbidly obese patients increases the risk of caregiver injury. A tracking indicator on the OSHA 300 logs for staff injury linked to a bariatric patient would provide the ability to compare obese and nonobese patient handling injuries. The E-OSHA 300 log provides a method to identify the frequency, severity, and nature of caregiver injury during mobilization of the obese. Understanding the heightened risk of injury associated with manual bariatric patient handling should help healthcare institutions identify deficiencies in their current injury prevention program and focus resources more precisely for safer, systems-based bariatric patient-handling solutions. Effective patient handling systems should also reduce the aura of fear that might be present in some caregivers when mobilizing a bariatric patient.
Recent Advances in the Prevention and Management of Intradialytic Hypotension

Intradialytic hypotension continues to play a significant role in the morbidity and in some cases the mortality associated with maintenance hemodialysis. Greater precision in the determination of dry weight using bioimpedance technology and biofeedback systems designed to prevent rapid fluctuations in blood volume have recently been shown to decrease the frequency of this complication. Pharmacologic strategies designed to maintain peripheral vascular resistance in patients with insufficient release of endogenous vasoconstrictors continue to be explored. The sudden development of intradialytic hypotension may respond to specific antagonists to hypotensive mediators.
Quadriceps Femoris Strength and Sagittal-Plane Knee Biomechanics During Stair Ascent in Individuals With Articular Cartilage Defects in the Knee

Context: Few objective data are available regarding strength and movement patterns in individuals with articular cartilage defects (ACDs) of the knee. Objectives: To test the following hypotheses: (1) The involved limb of individuals with ACDs would demonstrate lower peak knee-flexion angle, peak internal knee-extension moment, and peak vertical ground-reaction force (vGRF) than the contralateral limb and healthy controls. (2) On the involved limb of individuals with ACDs, quadriceps femoris strength would positively correlate with peak knee-flexion angle, peak internal knee-extension moment, and peak vGRF. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Biomechanics research laboratory. Participants: 11 individuals with ACDs in the knee who were eligible for surgical cartilage restoration and 10 healthy controls. Methods: Quadriceps femoris strength was quantified as peak isometric knee-extension torque via an isokinetic dynamometer. Sagittal-plane knee kinematics and kinetics were measured during the stance phase of ...
Modification of Plusoptix referral criteria to enhance sensitivity and specificity during pediatric vision screening

Purpose To determine the impact of using several different proposed sets of referral criteria on the specificity and sensitivity of the plusoptiX S08 photoscreener for detecting amblyopia risk factors. Methods During a 2-month period, 144 children ages 9 months to 14 years were screened at the Tennessee Lions Eye Center before receiving a comprehensive eye examination and cycloplegic refraction. Three previously published sets of referral criteria were used for screening, including the manufacturer’s criteria and the criteria proposed by Arthur and colleagues, which are nearly identical to the gold standard examination failure thresholds proposed by the Vision Screening Committee of the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS). Modifications of these criteria also were evaluated. The screening results obtained by the plusoptiX S08 were compared with the results from the gold standard pediatric ophthalmologic examination, and the respective sensitivities and specificities of each set of referral criteria in detecting amblyopia risk factors identified by the AAPOS Vision Screening Committee were calculated. Results The manufacturer’s criteria yielded high sensitivity (100%) but very low specificity (37%). The Arthur criteria, which used the values for the AAPOS-defined amblyopia risk factors as referral criteria, maintained sensitivity (89%) and greatly improved specificity (76%). Two modifications of the Arthur criteria further increased specificity with minimal loss of sensitivity. Conclusions The manufacturer’s criteria have excellent sensitivity but low specificity, warranting modification; other criteria increase specificity with minimal effect on sensitivity.
Dynamic migration algorithms for distributed object systems

Complex distributed object systems require dynamic migration algorithms that allocate and reallocate objects to respond to changes in the load or in the availability of the resources. We present the Cooling and Hot-Spot migration algorithms that reallocate objects when the load on a processor is high or when the latency of a task is high. The algorithms have been implemented as a feedback loop in the Eternal Resource Management System where information obtained from monitoring the behavior of the objects and the usage of the processors' resources is used to dynamically balance the load on the processors and improve the latency of the tasks. The cost of moving an object is justified by amortization over many method invocations, and constrains the rate at which objects are moved. The experimental results show that our algorithms guarantee steady flow of operation for the tasks and gracefully migrate objects from the processors when processor overloads and high task latencies are detected.
The Behavior of Twistless and Low-Twist Staple Yarns in a Plain-Weave Fabric

Bonded untwisted staple yam has been used experimentally in the production of fabrics. The present study, an extension of previous work, has shown that the tensile strength of fabric made from twistless filling was low. The addition of twist to the filling increases the strength of both the yarn and fabric. Waxed yarns provided the strongest fabrics and caused the tear strength in the warp direction to be markedly improved. Fabric made from bonded yams were less permeable than those made from ring filing.
Make No Little Plans: Response to Ted Sichelman, Purging Patent Law of ‘Private Law’ Remedies

This essay responds to Professor's Ted Sichelman's forthcoming article, Purging Patent Law of "Private Law" Remedies, 91 Tex. L. Rev. __ (2013), which argues that courts should abandon the conventional view of patents as private rights for which private-law remedies are appropriate, and instead should award damages and injunctions only when, and to the extent that, doing so serves the public interest for which patents are granted in the first place. Although some of Sichelman’s specific recommendations are well within the mainstream of contemporary patent scholarship, in particular some of his recommendations relating to permanent injunctions and enhanced damages, he also argues that courts should award monetary relief for patent infringement so as to align ex ante incentives with ex post rewards; this could mean awarding either more or less than would be necessary to restore the patentee to the position it would have occupied but for the infringement (the traditional benchmark for compensatory damages). Although I remain skeptical that such a system could ever work in the real world, Sichelman defends his thesis with aplomb – and recognizes its practical infeasibility in the near term. In addition, his analysis suggests that at least in industries in which patents are unlikely to play a major role in inducing invention, disclosure, or commercialization, efforts to ensure that defendants restore patentees to the position they would have occupied, but for the infringement, may not be worth the candle; some risk of undercompensation may be more tolerable than is commonly assumed. I will suggest that this implication, if valid, possibly could have some practical payoff even in the short run.
Ultrasonic imaging of porosity variations produced during sintering

A silicon carbide disk was sintered from 2090 to 2190 C in 25-C steps. After each sintering step, the disk was examined using a precision acoustic scanning system to determine acoustic attenuation and velocity. The bulk density was found to vary nonmonotonically with sintering temperature. The density varied as much as 10 percent from its value at 2090 C during the sintering process. Local density fluctuations occurred in an organized and history-dependent way. These local density fluctuations varied up to + or - 7 percent of the bulk density and were made visible by acoustic attenuation and velocity mapping.