cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stable Isotopes in Seafloor Hydrothermal Systems: Vent fluids, hydrothermal deposits, hydrothermal alteration, and microbial processes

The recognition of abundant and widespread hydrothermal activity and associated unique life-forms on the ocean floor is one of the great scientific discoveries of the latter half of the twentieth century. Studies of seafloor hydrothermal processes have led to revolutions in understanding fluid convection and the cooling of the ocean crust, the chemical and isotopic mass balance of the oceans, the origin of stratiform and statabound massive-sulfide ore-deposits, the origin of greenstones and serpentinites, and the potential importance of the subseafloor biosphere. Stable isotope geochemistry has been a critical and definitive tool from the very beginning of the modern era of seafloor exploration. Early suggestions of possible submarine hydrothermal activity date from the late 1950s when a number of investigators were debating the importance of “volcanic emanations” as a factor in the widespread occurrence of manganese nodules and other ferromanganese oxide deposits on the seafloor. Arrhenius and Bonatti (1965), in their classic paper, Vulcanism and Neptunism in the Oceans, stated the following: “The origin of authigenic minerals on the ocean floor has been extensively discussed in the past with emphasis on two major processes; precipitation from solutions originating from submarine eruptions, and slow precipitation from sea water of dissolved elements, originating from weathering of continental rocks. It is concluded that in several marine authigenic mineral systems these processes overlap.” Bostrom and Peterson (1966), in another classic, published evidence for extensive and widespread Fe-rich metalliferous sediments on the seafloor with a distribution strongly correlated with the mid-ocean ridges (Fig. 1⇓). They stated: Figure 1. Distribution of metalliferous surficial sediments, enriched in (Al+Fe+Mn)/Al, around divergent plate margin (modified after Bostrom et al. 1969). Used with permission of the American Geophysical Union. “On the very crest of the East Pacific Rise, in equatorial latitudes--particularly 12° to 16°S, the sediments are enriched in …
Habitual shortened sleep and insulin resistance: an independent relationship in obese individuals.

Objective Short sleep duration has been reported to be associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and pre-diabetes. Since excess weight, glucose abnormalities, and insulin resistance tend to cluster, the individual role insulin resistance may have in habitual shortened sleep is unclear. The study purpose was to assess whether habitual sleep curtailment is independently related to insulin resistance in obese individuals.
Analysis of Steering Vector Mismatch on Adaptive Noncoherent Integration

Amplitude and phase errors can cause mismatches between the hypothesized signal vector and the steering vector of an antenna array. A generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) for signal detection with multiple coherent processing intervals (CPIs) in unknown interference is derived. The detection performance of the resulting adaptive noncoherent integration (NCI) algorithm is analyzed along with the effect of steering vector mismatch on detection performance. Detection performance and the effect of steering vector mismatch are illustrated with results for both a nonfluctuating signal model and a CPI-to-CPI fluctuating signal model. It is shown that a signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) loss factor inherent to the algorithm in effect limits the performance gain due to NCI of mismatched signals.
Heterogeneity in vulnerable hosts slows down worm propagation

Worm attacks continue to be a significant threat to the Internet and have been a main tool used by botnets to recruit bots. Worm propagation models are important for understanding worm dynamics and designing effective and efficient detection and defense systems. The existing models, however, ignore the heterogeneity in vulnerable hosts and assume that the worm-scanning rate is the same for all infected hosts. In this work, we analytically and empirically study the impact of heterogeneity of vulnerable hosts on worm propagation. Specifically, we first apply the Jensen's inequality to show that the heterogeneity in vulnerable hosts indeed hinders the speed of worm propagation. We then conjecture, through the approximation analysis, that if the degree of the heterogeneity in vulnerable hosts is higher, the worm spreads slower. Next, we propose a novel model to predict and characterize worm dynamics among heterogeneous vulnerable hosts. Finally, applying the scale-down simulations and simulating the propagation of a Witty-like worm in the Internet, we verify our analytical results and demonstrate that our proposed model can accurately predict the spread of worms among heterogeneous vulnerable hosts.
A code of ethics for referees

I have read with interest the many letters commenting on the pros and cons of anonymity for referees. While I sympathize with writers who have suffered from referees who are incompetent or uncivil, I also sympathize with those who argue that one would simply exchange one set of problems for another if journals were to require that all referees waive anonymity. Perhaps there is a more direct way to address the issue. It may help if guidelines for referees were to include a code of ethics.
Spectral energetics of the observed and simulated Northern Hemisphere general circulation during blocking episodes

The spectral energetics of the Northern Hemisphere circulation during blocking episodes of the FGGE year is investigated with gridded analyses of observational data and parallel simulation experiments. The purpose of this study is to describe the energetics distinctions of the observed and simulated blockings in the context of the general circulation and to assess the capability of the model to simulate blockings. In the observed circulation a pronounced winter blocking is developed and maintained by the nonlinear wave-wave interaction L(1) from the kinetic energy source for n = 3-10, where L(n) is the transfer of eddy kinetic energy from all other wavenumbers to wavenumber n. In the case of the double blocking in the winter, both L(1) and L(2) support the blocking. The kinetic energy source of n = 10 for upscale input at n = 1 and 2 is supported by the baroclinic conversion at n = 3-10. The simulated winter circulation shows strong baroclinic conversion at all wavenumbers, including ultralong waves. However, the simulation fails to produce pronounced blocking for the absence of L(1), and the converted energy cascades down to shorter waves. The wave-mean transfer of kinetic energy from the large-scale disturbances to the zonal mean component further prevents the accumulation of the kinetic energy at the ultralong waves. In contrast to the winter situation, the summer blocking seems to be directly supported by both L(4) and baroclinic conversion at other planetary-scale waves. Consequently, the summer circulation is better simulated than the winter circulation.
The effects of therapeutic taping on gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy.

Purpose:Therapeutic taping to address dysfunctional sitting control in children with cerebral palsy (CP) was investigated in this study.Methods:Eighteen children with quadriplegic CP, Gross Motor Function Classification System for Cerebral Palsy levels IV (n = 9) and V (n = 9) participated in the 12
Fast and accurate computation using stochastic circuits

Stochastic computing (SC) is a low-cost design technique that has great promise in applications such as image processing. SC enables arithmetic operations to be performed on stochastic bit-streams using ultra-small and low-power circuitry. However, accurate computations tend to require long run-times due to the random fluctuations inherent in stochastic numbers (SNs). We present novel techniques for SN generation that lead to better accuracy/run-time trade-offs. First, we analyze a property called progressive precision (PP) which allows computational accuracy to grow systematically with run-time. Second, borrowing from Monte Carlo methods, we show that SC performance can be greatly improved by replacing the usual pseudo-random number sources by low-discrepancy (LD) sequences that are predictably progressive. Finally, we evaluate the use of LD stochastic numbers in SC, and show they can produce significantly faster and more accurate results than existing stochastic designs.
Left atrial volume by echocardiography in patients with false positive myocardial perfusion scans

A stress-induced myocardial perfusion abnormality (MPS), in the absence of angiographically significant epicardial coronary artery disease, is considered a "false-positive" test result. We hypothesized that echocardiography would provide complementary prognostic and pathophysiologic data relevant to the management of patients with MPS and normal coronary angiograms. Accordingly, left atrial volume index (LAVi) was assessed by echocardiography in 38 patients with false positive MPS as defined by normal coronary angiograms and 26 patients with true negative MPS from a total of 1,356 patients stressed from July 2006-May 2008. Pathologically abnormal elevation of LAVi (≥ 32 mL/m(2)) was observed in 16 of 19 women (84%) and 11 of 19 men (58%) in the false positive MPS (FPMPS) group while none of the patients in the true negative MPS (TNMPS) group had elevated LAVi. In the FPMPS group mean LAVi was significantly higher in women than men (40.64 ± 11.4 mL/m(2) versus 32.6 ± 10.5 mL/m(2), P = 0.01). The mean LAVi in the FPMPS group was significantly different from the TNMPS group (36.6 ± 11.6 versus 21 ± 7 mL/m(2), P = 0.000). A stepwise logistic regression determined BSA, LAV and LAVi as useful in predicting false positive and true negative MPS. All three were significant predictors (P < 0.01) and the area under the ROC curve was 0.91. Our findings in this relatively small cohort suggest that patients with false positive MPS have a greater increased LAVi.
Determining Detection Requirements for Individuals Used in Categorical Resource Selection Analyses

ABSTRACT Resource selection analyses of telemetry data are often conducted on categorical measurements of use and availability. Refinement of early resource selection analysis techniques has resulted in use of individuals as the sample unit rather than the number of telemetry detections. However, the minimum number of telemetry detections required for an individual animal to be included as a sample unit must reflect the number of detections needed to accurately describe the individual's resource use. We developed a method to determine the minimum number of detections required to accurately describe categorical resource use of an animal. The mean standard selection ratio (MSSR) described herein can be used to effectively design telemetry projects and efficiently allocate field resources by knowing, a priori, the number of telemetry detections needed to explain resource selection for individual animals and ultimately for an animal population. Additionally, the MSSR technique can be used following data colle...
Proposal of ATCC 19698 as the Neotype Strain of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis Bergey et al. 1923

American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) strain 19698 is here proposed as the neotype strain of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis Bergey et al. 1923. No culture of any of the strains on which the original description of this organism was based is known to be extant. A working type, ATCC 12227, is used for vaccine and paratuberculin production, but this strain is atypical of the species in that it lacks most of the distinctive properties of the species, including mycobactin requirement and pathogenicity. ATCC 19698 possesses the characters given in the original description of M. paratuberculosis as well as those of the current concept of this species.
Social facilitation from Triplett to electronic performance monitoring.

This article reviews the origins and development of social facilitation theory beginning with N. Triplett's (1898) early work during the late 1800s. Early studies of the phenomenon focused on individual performance enhancement when others were present. Performance impairments were observed but not explained until R. B. Zajonc's (1965) integration of previous work that provided a coherent explanation for earlier inconsistencies. Beginning with his drive theory, the authors describe various social, physiological, behavioral, and cognitive explanations for social facilitation that have been advanced over the years and discuss their origins in some of the earliest social psychological research. Finally, the authors present their own framework for examining social facilitation phenomena and highlight problems and opportunities for advancing the theory.
A tamoxifen inducible knock-in allele for investigation of E2A function

E-proteins are transcription factors important for the development of a variety of cell types, including neural, muscle and lymphocytes of the immune system. E2A, the best characterized E-protein family member in mammals, has been shown to have stage specific roles in cell differentiation, lineage commitment, proliferation, and survival. However, due to the complexity of E2A function, it is often difficult to separate these roles using conventional genetic approaches. Here, we have developed a new genetic model for reversible control of E2A protein activity at physiological levels. This system was created by inserting a tamoxifen-responsive region of the estrogen receptor (ER) at the carboxyl end of the tcfe2a gene to generate E2AER fusion proteins. We have characterized and analyzed the efficiency and kinetics of this inducible E2AER system in the context of B cell development. B cell development has been shown previously to be blocked at an early stage in E2A deficient animals. Our E2AER/ER mice demonstrated this predicted block in B cell development, and E2AER DNA binding activity was not detected in the absence of ligand. In vitro studies verified rapid induction of E2AER DNA binding activity upon tamoxifen treatment. While tamoxifen treatment of E2AER/ER mice showed inefficient rescue of B cell development in live animals, direct exposure of bone marrow cells to tamoxifen in an ex vivo culture was sufficient to rescue and support early B cell development from the pre-proB cell stage. The E2AER system provides inducible and reversible regulation of E2A function at the protein level. Many previous studies have utilized over-expression systems to induce E2A function, which are complicated by the toxicity often resulting from high levels of E2A. The E2AER model instead restores E2A activity at an endogenous level and in addition, allows for tight regulation of the timing of induction. These features make our E2AER ex vivo culture system attractive to study both immediate and gradual downstream E2A-mediated events.
Possible indications of new physics in B d -mixing and in sin (2 β) determinations

Abstract Using the hadronic matrix elements from the lattice, B K and ξ s , involving only the 4-quark operators for Δ flavor = 2 Hamiltonian relevant for K – K ¯ , B d – B ¯ d and B s – B ¯ s mixing, along with V c b , we deduce a non-trivial constraint on the SM, sin ( 2 β ) = 0.87 ± 0.09 . This deviates from direct experimental measurements via the tree process, b → c c ¯ s as well as the one via the penguin-loop b → s decays by around 2.1 and 2.7σ respectively. If these deviations are confirmed they would imply the presence of new physics rather pervasively in both B d – B ¯ d (i.e. very likely in b → d ) as well as in b → s transitions requiring a beyond the SM CP-odd phase. Consequently, improvements in the relevant lattice calculations should be given a high priority.
On the non-linear Beck's problem with external damping

Abstract The non-linear Beck's problem with external damping is analyzed for the first time. It is observed that the problem exhibits a Hopf bifurcation, and the character of this bifurcation is ascertained. The non-linear stability is examined, and previously unanswered questions are addressed. Comments on the discontinuous nature of the undamped limit are given.
riddling and responsibility in Highland Peru

On the basis of both a cross-cultural study and research on riddling in American and Tagalog cultures, John M. Roberts and Michael L. Forman (1971) made important contributions to the development of a theory of riddle involvement. They argued that riddles, as expressive models of oral interrogation, are associated with high levels of cultural complexity and with an emphasis on responsibility training. This paper reports the results of a series of tests of their hypotheses utilizing data obtained from thirty Quechua-speaking children in the highlands of Peru. The relationships of riddle interest and competence to the performance of chores, responsible choice behavior, nagging, psychological conflict over oral interrogation, game preferences, and occupational preferences are explored.
Biases and caustics in long-range acoustic tomography

Abstract We consider the travel time perturbation δt of acoustic rays in an ocean sound channel. The perturbations arom a straining e(x,z) of the water column. An expansion to second order gives δt ≈ τ + ατ 2 > , where and 2 > are suitably weighted strain wverages, α is a number of order 1 (except near caustics), and τ is the phase integral (the ‘reduced travel time’ in the seismic literature); τ is a function of ray steepness and range, and varies from zero for axial rays to order 10 s for steep rays at 1000 km range. The quadratic bais ατ 2 > changes sign at the caustics; generally it is negative (warm bias) for a range-dependent ocean as compared to a range-independent ocean with the same average properties. We consider two separate problems: (a) linear inversions for the range-averaged profile in soundspeed (temperature) introduces 0.5 m s−1 (0.1 °C) systematic errors arising from horizontal ocean variability (mesoscal activity), but these errors can be reduced by making corrections for 2 > . (b) In the problem of monitoring for climatic changes of large-scale ocean features, the quadratic bias is negligible compared to the sample variability, and there is an inherent advantage to the long-range horizontal integration in acoustic tomography over the traditional local measurements.
Shattering the Myth of Legality: The Impact of the Media's Framing of Supreme Court Procedures on Perceptions of Fairness

The tendency of the media to depict the Supreme Court as inherently apolitical, some scholars argue, is part of the reason that many believe in the “myth of legality” in which the Court is perceived to operate above the ideological skirmishes of everyday politics. Our experimental analyses show that citizens react more negatively to press reports of a politically motivated Court than they do to coverage portraying a Court that strictly follows legal guidelines. Interestingly, our results also suggest that it is not so much the perceived absence of political wrangling among justices but rather it is the presence of legal guidelines driving the outcome that is the source of the perception of fairness.
Transmutation via the momentum plane

Transmutation methods are developed for equations of the form x2 φ“ + x2(k2” - q(x)) φ = (v2 - (1/4)) φ, with v as spectral variable, which correspond to problems in quantum scattering theory at fixed energy k2 (here v ˜ l + (1/2) with l complex angular momentum). Spectral formulas for transmutation kernels are constructed and the machinery of transmutation theory developed by the author for spectral variable k is shown to have a version here. General Kontrorovic-Lebedev theorems are also proved.
Stressor-Induced Alterations of Adaptive Immunity to Vaccination and Viral Pathogens

The stress response influences the immune system, and studies in laboratory animals indicate that the response to stress significantly reduces resistance to infectious challenge. Only a few studies, however, have determined the impact of the stress response on human susceptibility to infectious challenge due, in part, to the difficulties of using live, replicating pathogens in human research. As a result, many studies have assessed the immune response to vaccination as a surrogate for the immune response to an infectious challenge. Thus, much is known about how the stress response influences adaptive immunity, and memory responses, to vaccination. These studies have yielded data concerning the interactions of the nervous and immune systems and have provided important information for clinicians administering vaccines to susceptible populations. This review provides a brief overview of the immune response to commonly used vaccines and the impact that stress can have on vaccine-specific immunity.
Replication revisited: Introduction to the special section on replication in business research☆

This JBR Special Issue on Replication in Business Research includes seven research studies along with two invited comments on paper and two invited responses. The articles cover both a variety of replication or meta-analyses on research topics that have enough importance to justify such independent analysis as well as papers that speak to the role of replication in business research. The invited comments and responses show the importance of the dialog in the philosophy of science necessary in business writing and research.
Regional differences in the distribution of myogenic and chondrogenic cells in axolotl limb blastemas

The distribution of myogenic and chondrogenic cells was determined for axolotl limb blastemas at the medium bud stage, before precartilage condensation occurred. Myogenic potential of midstylopod (upper) and distal-zeugopod (lower) amputation level blastemas, divided into distal, proximal-core, and proximal-peripheral regions, was assayed in vitro. Significantly more myonuclei were observed in upper level proximal-periphery cultures than in ones from any of the other regions. Since cartilage cells give rise almost exclusively to cartilage in the regenerate (Steen, 1968), a heritable cell marker, triploidy, was used to trace the location of chondrogenic cells in histological sections of upper level early and medium bud blastemas. Although there was mixing of the graft cartilage-derived cells and host soft-tissue-derived cells, the previous cartilage cells were found more frequently within the core region at early and medium bud stages. The results of these studies indicate that more chondrogenic cells are present in the core from a very early stage, and that more myogenic cells are present in the proximal periphery by the medium bud stage.
Efficacy of a Disinfectant Wipe Method for the Removal of Adenovirus 8 from Tonometer Tips

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of a disinfectant wipe method in eliminating adenovirus 8 from both Goldmann tonometer and pneumotonometer tips, and to determine the efficacy of 5-minute disinfectant soaks in removing the virus from Goldmann tonometer tips. Method: Quantification of adenovirus 8 in the ocular secretions of six infected patients was performed. Clinically relevant inocula of adenovirus 8 were then prepared in a serum suspension which was used to contaminate Goldmann tonometer and pneumotonometer tips. Each contaminated tip was subjected to either a dry wipe or a wipe with one of the following: water, isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and iodophor. The tips were then quantitatively assayed for residual adenovirus 8. Disinfectant soaks were similarly assessed using contaminated Goldmann tonometer tips soaked in water, hydrogen peroxide, iodophor, and sodium hypochlorite. Results: Adenovirus 8 was recovered from both types of tonometer tips after dry wipes, but no viable virus was recovered from tips wiped with water only or with any of the disinfectants tested. Adenovirus 8 also was recovered from Goldmann tonometer tips that were either rinsed or soaked in water; no virus was recovered from tips soaked for 5 minutes in any of the disinfectants tested. Conclusion: A disinfectant wipe method using isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or iodophor is effective in removing adenovirus 8 from both Goldmann tonometer and pneumotonometer tips. Five-minute disinfectant soaks also are effective for Goldmann tonometer tips.
Unstable membrane potential in human myotonic muscle.

Abstract 1. 1. Intracellular potentials were recorded from five muscles of two subjects with myotonia. 2. 2. During intracellular recording, there was spontaneous slow depolarization which usually terminated in a normal depolarization (spike), or an abortive spike, followed by further slow depolarization. The records were thus notable for repetitive depolarization, which was sometimes rhythmical, or could diminish and disappear after several cycles. 3. 3. The membrane resting potential was estimated to be 63 mV in myotonia, but due to experimental difficulties this might be a falsely low value. 4. 4. Administration of quinidine to one subject failed to affect either his clinical myotonia or the unstable membrane potentials. Procaine amide had a satisfactory clinical effect and also seemed to reduce the incidence of unstable membranes. 5. 5. The unstable membrane potential in myotonia is similar to that found by others in denervated muscle, and in dystrophic muscle under certain special conditions. Evidence is cited in support of the view that there is an underlying disorder of membrane permeability in these conditions.
The effects of low-frequency ultrasound on Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Low frequency ultrasound (LFUS) significantly enhances skin permeability to a variety of drugs; however, its bacterial effects have not been well studied. Staphylococcus epidermidis organisms were grown and standardized to 105 cfu/ml 24 h prior to investigation and suspended in normal saline. LFUS was applied with two probes immersed in the bacterial suspensions over a range of suspension volumes, intensities, and exposure times. The suspension temperature was measured, and a sample was removed, streaked onto blood agar plates, and incubated at 37°C for 24 h. Quantitative bacterial counts were then obtained. LFUS resulted in significant reductions in bacterial counts that correlated with fluid temperature. Probe size and ultrasound intensity appeared to affect bacterial counts, but were also correlated with temperature. Bacterial growth was minimal with temperatures exceeding 45°C. While LFUS can reduce bacterial counts, these conditions have the potential to cause burns in humans.
Statewide implementation of the 4 Rs and 2 Ss for strengthening families.

Embedding evidence-informed practices for children with mental health needs into “real-world” community settings has proven challenging. In this article, we discuss how the Practical, Robust, Implementation, and Sustainability Model (PRISM) guided statewide (New York) implementation of an evidence-informed intervention targeting families and youth with oppositional defiant and conduct disorders, collectively referred to as disruptive behavior disorders. Additionally, we present qualitative findings based on provider reports of integrating a novel, evidence-informed intervention within their respective community mental health settings. Finally, we discuss a process of modifying the intervention to address agency-level factors, as well as inform more widespread implementation efforts.
β-Fluorosultones: synthesis, reactivity, structure and uses

Abstract β-Fluorosultones are unique cyclic compounds formed by addition of sulfur trioxide to fluorinated olefins. Their extensive chemistry is due, in large part, to the ease of forming reactive isomeric fluorosulfonyl polyfluorocarbonyl fluorides or polyfluoroalkene fluorosulfates. Their reactions can lead via multipathways to a large number of structurally modified fluorosulfonic acids or precursors such as fluoroalkyl sulfonyl-fluorides, esters, amines, and alkoxides.
The experience of experiential intercultural training exercises: The role of a sense of presence and other states

Experiential exercises have consistently played an important role in intercultural training. The goal of this study was to examine the experiences of participants in selected exercises and compare them with those in real intercultural encounters. An Experience Questionnaire was administered to 231 students participating in one of five training activities: Three experiential exercises, an immersion activity, or viewing training videos. The results indicate that the experiences associated with the experiential exercises were in important ways different from those in intercultural encounters. The implications of the findings for intercultural training programs are discussed
Allowing learners to choose: self-controlled practice schedules for learning multiple movement patterns.

Abstract For this study, we investigated the effects of self-controlled practice on learning multiple motor skills. Thirty participants were randomly assigned to self-control or yoked conditions. Participants learned a three-keystroke pattern with three different relative time structures. Those in the self-control group chose one of three relative time structures before each of 90 practice trials; yoked participants were not allowed to choose but were yoked to a self-control participant and followed that individual's sequence of practice trials. Results of the 24-hr serial transfer test revealed the self-control group exhibited significantly lower relative timing error, absolute error, and total error than the yoked group. Findings further support the efficacy of self-controlled learning.
Commentary on: "Hydrocephalus Following Bilateral Dumbbell-Shaped C2 Spinal Neurofibromas Resection and Postoperative Cervical Pseudomeningocele in a Patient with Neurofibromatosis Type 1: A Case Report".

In this report, Nicola and colleagues report the occurrence of hydrocephalus 1 month after resection of dumbbell C2 neurofibromas. Prior to surgical intervention, the patient had a mild progressive quadriparesis, which improved after tumor resection. At 1 month postoperatively, the patient had a pseudomeningocele and enlarging ventricles consistent with the symptomatic hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus can occur in patients with neurofibromatosistype1 but is usuallyassociatedwith opticpathwaygliomas, thalamic and hypothalamic tumors, intrinsic brainstem gliomas, or aqueductal stenosis. 1 Furthermore, hydrocephalus is a well-described entity with spinal cord tumors, and it is estimated that 1% of patients with spinal cord tumors present have hydrocephalus at presentation. 2 Most commonly, hydrocephalus is associated with intrinsic spinal cord tumors (75%), though it can happen with extramedullary tumors. Several mechanisms have been implicated, including increased protein from tumor or hemorrhage, obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) pathways, or even neoplastic seeding. However,if it is identified before surgery, it is important to resect the spinal cord tumor before inserting a shunt to avoid shunt-related neurological deterioration. The authors of this report suggest that there was no hydrocephalus on presentation, though it is uncertain if this was evaluated radiologically. The most likely etiology for the hydrocephalus is a postoperative pseudomeningocele or CSF fistula with compression of the foramina of Magendie and Luschka, preventing normal CSF flow. In large series of posterior fossa decompressions for etiologies such as Chiari malformations or tumors, CSF leaks and pseudomeningoceles can form at rates of 6 to 10% with delayed hydrocephalus presenting in 3 to 5% ofpatients. 3,4 Inchildrenwith posterior fossatumors, the rate of postoperative hydrocephalus is very high, with 30% needing additional intervention after the original operation. 5 The presence of a postoperative pseudomeningocele in these patients is a harbinger of hydrocephalus as it was in the current case. Hydrocephalus can also occur after closed head injury with estimatesof posttraumatic hydrocephalus as high as 30% in patients with severe closed head injury. If the patient has concomitant injury to the upper cervical spine that requires intervention, a pseudomeningocele may form at the site of cervical injury with cranial imaging revealing ventricular enlargement. 6,7 The mechanism of posttraumatic hydrocephalus formation is not dissimilar to the presumed mechanism in the current case with obstruction of CSF outflow from the cranium or decreased resorption of CSF duetobloodandproteinblocking thearachnoidgranulations. In any event, the authors astutely recognized that this patient’s pseudomeningocele was a sign of hydrocephalus and treated the hydrocephalus before further morbidity or even death ensued.
Left atrial appendage flow velocities in subjects with normal left ventricular function

The objectives of this study were to establish reference values and define the determinants of left atrial appendage (LAA) flow velocities in the general population. LAA flow velocities (contraction and filling velocities) were assessed by transesophageal echocardiography in 310 subjects aged > or = 45 years, sampled from the population-based Stroke Prevention: Assessment of Risk in a Community study. All subjects were in sinus rhythm, with preserved left ventricular systolic function (ejection fraction > or = 50%), and without valvular disease. Values of LAA contraction and filling velocities were established for various age groups in the population. Age was negatively associated with LAA contraction and filling velocities, which decreased by 4.1 cm/s (p 0.05). Furthermore, detailed analysis of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure data (available in 253 subjects) showed no association between various blood pressure parameters (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, out-of-bed and in-bed measurements) and LAA flow velocities (all p > 0.05). In summary, the present study establishes the reference values for LAA flow velocities in a large sample of the general population. LAA flow velocities progressively decline with age in subjects with preserved left ventricular systolic function.
Primase Directs the Release of DnaC from DnaB

An AAA+ ATPase, DnaC, delivers DnaB helicase at the E. coli chromosomal origin by a poorly understood process. This report shows that mutant proteins bearing alanine substitutions for two conserved arginines in a motif named box VII are defective in DNA replication, but this deficiency does not arise from impaired interactions with ATP, DnaB, or single-stranded DNA. Despite their ability to deliver DnaB to the chromosomal origin to form the prepriming complex, this intermediate is inactive. Quantitative analysis of the prepriming complex suggests that the DnaB-DnaC complex contains three DnaC monomers per DnaB hexamer and that the interaction of primase with DnaB and primer formation triggers the release of DnaC, but not the mutants, from DnaB. The interaction of primase with DnaB and the release of DnaC mark discrete events in the transition from initiation to the elongation stage of DNA replication.
Society: Don't blame the mothers

Careless discussion of epigenetic research on how early life affects health across generations could harm women, warn Sarah S. Richardson and colleagues.
Endobronchial Tuberculosis Progressing to Bronchial Stenosis: Fiberoptic Bronchoscopic Manifestations

Severe stenosis of main-stem and segmental bronchi occurred in a 79-year-old woman with previously and adequately treated endobronchial tuberculosis. Symptoms and physiologic abnormalities did not occur until more than three years after diagnosis and initiation of therapy.
Real-Time PCR Technology for Cancer Diagnostics

Background: Advances in the biological sciences and technology are providing molecular targets for diagnosing and treating cancer. Current classifications in surgical pathology for staging malignancies are based primarily on anatomic features (e.g., tumor-node-metastasis) and histopathology (e.g., grade). Microarrays together with clustering algorithms are revealing a molecular diversity among cancers that promises to form a new taxonomy with prognostic and, more importantly, therapeutic significance. The challenge for pathology will be the development and implementation of these molecular classifications for routine clinical practice. Approach: This article discusses the benefits, challenges, and possibilities for solid-tumor profiling in the clinical laboratory with an emphasis on DNA-based PCR techniques. Content: Molecular markers can be used to provide accurate prognosis and to predict response, resistance, or toxicity to therapy. The diversity of genomic alterations involved in malignancy necessitates a variety of assays for complete tumor profiling. Some new molecular classifications of tumors are based on gene expression, requiring a paradigm shift in specimen processing to preserve the integrity of RNA for analysis. More stable markers (i.e., DNA and protein) are readily handled in the clinical laboratory. Quantitative real-time PCR can determine gene duplications or deletions. Furthermore, melting curve analysis immediately after PCR can identify small mutations, down to single base changes. These techniques are becoming easier and faster and can be multiplexed. Real-time PCR methods are a favorable option for the analysis of cancer markers. Summary: There is a need to translate recent discoveries in oncology research into clinical practice. This requires objective, robust, and cost-effective molecular techniques for clinical trials and, eventually, routine use. Real-time PCR has attractive features for tumor profiling in the clinical laboratory.
Enhanced Activation of T Lymphocytes by Urease-Deficient Recombinant Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Producing Heat Shock Protein 70-Major Membrane Protein-II Fusion Protein

To activate naive T cells convincingly using Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), recombinant BCG (BCG-D70M) that was deficient in urease, expressed with gene encoding the fusion of BCG-derived heat shock protein (HSP) 70 and Mycobacterium leprae-derived major membrane protein (MMP)-II, one of the immunodominant Ags of M. leprae, was newly constructed. BCG-D70M was more potent in activation of both CD4(+) and CD8(+) subsets of naive T cells than recombinant BCGs including urease-deficient BCG and BCG-70M secreting HSP70-MMP-II fusion protein. BCG-D70M efficiently activated dendritic cells (DCs) to induce cytokine production and phenotypic changes and activated CD4(+) T cells even when macrophages were used as APCs. The activation of both subsets of T cells was MHC and CD86 dependent. Pretreatment of DCs with chloroquine inhibited both surface expression of MMP-II on DCs and the activation of T cells by BCG-D70M-infected APCs. The naive CD8(+) T cell activation was inhibited by treatment of DCs with brefeldin A and lactacystin so that the T cell was activated by TAP- and proteosome-dependent cytosolic cross-priming pathway. From naive CD8(+) T cells, effector T cells producing perforin and memory T cells having migration markers were produced by BCG-D70M stimulation. BCG-D70M primary infection in C57BL/6 mice produced T cells responsive to in vitro secondary stimulation with MMP-II and HSP70 and more efficiently inhibited the multiplication of subsequently challenged M. leprae than vector control BCG. These results indicate that the triple combination of HSP70, MMP-II, and urease depletion may provide a useful tool for inducing better activation of naive T cells.
Modeling of output snapback characteristics in n-channel SOI MOSFETs

The snapback effect is usually observed in the output characteristics of an n-channel SOI MOSFET with zero gate voltage in which the drain-to-source breakdown voltage is less than the drain-to-body avalanche voltage. It can be attributed to parasitic lateral bipolar actions as well as the MOS feedback mode of operation-a point often overlooked in the literature. An analytical model is developed for predicting the observed output characteristics taking into account both the bipolar and the MOS mechanisms. Results obtained from this model agree well with the experimental I-V curves, and show that, with continuing scaling of device geometries and improvement in SOI materials, the bipolar-induced snapback will become dominant in the future. >
Percolation and cluster distribution. II. layers, variable-range interactions, and exciton cluster model

Monte Carlo simulations for the site percolation problem are presented for lattices up to 64 x 106 sites. We investigate for the square lattice the variablerange percolation problem, where distinct trends with bond-length are found for the critical concentrations and for the critical exponents/~ and 7. We also investigate the layer problem for stacks of square lattices added to approach a simple cubic lattice, yielding critical concentrations as a functional of layer number as well as the correlation length exponent u. We also show that the exciton migration probability for a common type of ternary lattice system can be described by a cluster model and actually provides a cluster generating function.
Photoemission studies of the energy dependence of the bulk plasmon loss intensity in Si and Al

Abstract Photoemission, using synchrotron radiation in the photon energy range 100 to 600 eV, has been utilized to study the energy dependence of the bulk plasmon loss intensity in Si and Al. The results are compared to the predictions of an extrinsic model for plasmon creation.
The Economics of Television Program Production and Trade in Far East Asia

An analysis of programming on 34 national broadcast television networks in nine Far East Asian countries shows that in countries that are wealthier and/or that devote relatively large proportions of their gross domestic product (GDP) to broadcast media, larger percentages of TV program hours are domestically produced, particularly drama programs. A main suggestion of our analysis is that in Far East Asia the economic impact of new video media development on domestic production industries and on public television systems will be less than has been experienced in Western Europe.
Gene expression differences between ruptured anterior cruciate ligaments in young male and female subjects.

Background: The incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries is two to eightfold greater in female compared with male athletes. Anatomic, hormonal, and neuromuscular factors have been associated with this disparity. This study compared gene expression and structural features in ruptured but otherwise normal ACL tissue from young female and male athletes. Methods: A biopsy sample of ruptured ACL tissue (which would normally have been discarded) was obtained intraoperatively from seven female and seven male athletes (12.7 to 22.6 years old). Each sample was divided into portions for histological and gene expression analyses. Specimens for gene analysis were frozen and ground, and RNA was extracted and purified. Microarray analysis was performed on RNA isolated from four female and three male study participants (13.9 to 18.5 years old) who had a noncontact injury. Genes with an expression level that differed significantly between these female and male athletes were grouped into functionally associated networks with use of IPA software (Qiagen). Three genes of interest were chosen for further validation by RT-qPCR (reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction) analysis of the samples from all fourteen patients. Several statistical methods were used to examine sex-related differences. Results: Microarray analysis of the RNA isolated from the ruptured ACL tissue from the female and male athletes identified thirty-two genes with significant differential expression. Fourteen of these genes were not linked to the X or Y chromosome. IPA analysis grouped these genes into pathways involving development and function of skeletal muscle and growth, maintenance, and proliferation of cells. RT-qPCR confirmed significant differences in expression of three selected genes: ACAN (aggrecan) and FMOD (fibromodulin) were upregulated in female compared with male study participants, and WISP2 (WNT1 inducible signaling pathway protein 2) was downregulated. No morphological differences among the ruptured tissue from the various participants were apparent on histological examination. Conclusions: The genes identified in this study as differing distinctly according to sex produce major molecules in the ACL extracellular matrix. Significant upregulation of ACAN and FMOD (which regulate the matrix) and downregulation of WISP2 (which is involved in collagen turnover and production) may account for the weaker ACLs in female compared with male individuals.
Shape and Motion Reconstruction from 3D-to-1D Orthographically Projected Data via Object-Image Relations

This paper describes an invariant-based shape- and motion reconstruction algorithm for 3D-to-1D orthographically projected range data taken from unknown viewpoints. The algorithm exploits the object-image relation that arises in echo-based range data and represents a simplification and unification of previous work in the literature. Unlike one proposed approach, this method does not require uniqueness constraints, which makes its algorithmic form independent of the translation removal process (centroid removal, range alignment, etc.). The new algorithm, which simultaneously incorporates every projection and does not use an initialization in the optimization process, requires fewer calculations and is more straightforward than the previous approach. Additionally, the new algorithm is shown to be the natural extension of the approach developed by Tomasi and Kanade for 3D-to-2D orthographically projected data and is applied to a realistic inverse synthetic aperture radar imaging scenario, as well as experiments with varying amounts of aperture diversity and noise.
Differential Relationships between WISC-IV and WIAT-II Scales: An Evaluation of Potentially Moderating Child Demographics.

Considerable debate exists regarding the accuracy of intelligence tests with members of different groups. This study investigated differential predictive validity of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children—Fourth Edition. Participants from the WISC-IV—WIAT-II standardization linking sample (N = 550) ranged in age from 6 through 16 years (M = 11.6, SD = 3.2) and varied by the demographic variables of gender, race/ethnicity (Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic), and parent education level (8-11, 12, 13-15, and 16 years). Full Scale IQ and General Ability Index scores from the WISC-IV were used to predict scores on Mathematics, Oral Language, Reading, Written Language, and the total composite on the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test—Second Edition. Differences in prediction were evaluated between demographic subgroups via Potthoff’s technique. Of the 30 simultaneous tests, 25 revealed no statistically significant between group differences. The remaining statistically significant differences wer...
Bidirectional amyloid fiber growth for a yeast prion determinant.

Abstract The polymerization of many amyloids is a two-stage process initiated by the formation of a seeding nucleus or protofibril. Soluble protein then assembles with these nuclei to form amyloid fibers. Whether fiber growth is bidirectional or unidirectional has been determined for two amyloids. In these cases, bidirectional growth was established by time lapse atomic-force microscopy. Here, we investigated the growth of amyloid fibers formed by NM, the prion-determining region of the yeast protein Sup35p. The conformational changes in NM that lead to amyloid formation in vitro serve as a model for the self-perpetuating conformational changes in Sup35p that allow this protein to serve as an epigenetic element of inheritance in vivo. To assess the directionality of fiber growth, we genetically engineered a mutant of NM so that it contained an accessible cysteine residue that was easily labeled after fiber formation. The mutant protein assembled in vitro with kinetics indistinguishable from those of the wild-type protein and propagated the heritable genetic trait [ PSI + ] with the same fidelity. In reactions nucleated with prelabeled fibers, unlabeled protein assembled at both ends. Thus, NM fiber growth is bidirectional.