cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Perception of Cancer Risk in Patients With Prevalent Barrett’s Esophagus Enrolled in an Endoscopic Surveillance Program

Background&Aims: Patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE) have a risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma of approximately 0.5% per year. Patients may have difficulty understanding this risk. This study assessed the perceived risk of cancer in patients with BE, and correlated their risk estimates with their health care use behaviors. Methods: We performed a survey of patients with BE participating in an endoscopic surveillance program at 2 sites: a university teaching hospital and a Veterans' Administration hospital. A questionnaire also elicited their demographics as well as their sources of health information. Health care behaviors, including physician visits and endoscopic surveillance behaviors, were assessed. Patients were classified as either overestimators or nonoverestimators of risk. Characteristics of overestimators, as well as health care use patterns, were assessed. Results: One hundred eighteen patients met entry criteria, and 92 (78%) completed all the questionnaires. Sixty-eight percent of patients overestimated their 1-year risk of cancer, with a mean estimated 1-year cancer risk being 13.6%. The lifetime risk also was overestimated by 38% of patients. Patients who overestimated risk were more likely to be Veterans' Administration medical center patients, have more symptomatic reflux, and were more likely to use the Internet to get health care information. There was no significant difference in physician visits between overestimators and nonestimators (1.2 visits per year vs 1.0, P = .20), nor in endoscopy use (5.7 endoscopies per 5-year period vs 5.0, P = .42). Conclusions: The majority of patients with prevalent BE participating in an endoscopic surveillance program overestimated their chances of developing adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Efforts to improve education of such patients with BE are warranted.
On Ascertaining Inductively the Dimension of the Joint Kernel of Certain Commuting Linear Operators

Given an index setX, a collection3of subsets ofX(all of the same cardinality), and a collection {lx}x?Xof commuting linear maps on some linear space, the family of linear operators whose joint kernelK=K(4) is sought consists of alllA??a?AlawithAany subset ofXwhich intersects everyB?5. The goal is to establish conditions, on6andl, which ensure that dimK(7)=?B?8dimK({B}), or, at least, one or the other of the two inequalities contained in this equality. Concrete instances of this problem arise in box spline theory, and specific conditions onlwere given by Dahmen and Micchelli for the case that9consists of the bases of a matroid. We give a new approach to this problem and establish the inequalities and the equality under various rather weak conditions on10andl. These conditions involve the solvability of certain linear systems of the formlb?=?b,b?B, withB?11, and the existence of “placeable” elements ofX, i.e., ofx?Xfor which everyB?12not containingxhas all but one element in common with someB??13containingx.
The habitat and conduit functions of roads in the spread of three invasive plant species

Nonnative plant species commonly occur along roadsides, and populations are often assumed to invade by spread along the road axis. To distinguish between the function of roadsides as movement corridors and as habitat, nonnative plant species were surveyed along roads in deciduous forest sites in southeastern Ohio, USA. The importance of road proximity was tested by comparing nonnative species abundance in 100 m transects along roads with transects in undisturbed forest. Nonnative species were most abundant and most frequently observed in roadside sites in valleys. Three common species were chosen for closer scrutiny. In a seed sowing experiment roads and open sites proved to be better locations for the germination and growth of Microstegium vimineum than non-roadside and closed-canopy sites. Tussilago farfara and Rosa multiflora occurred in a small number of disjunct patches suggesting infrequent arrival in the sampled transects. Both species were strongly clustered at scales consistent with diffusive spread by vegetative growth and short-range seed dispersal. Comparisons of distributions parallel and perpendicular to roads showed no evidence for enhanced dispersal along the road axis. Microstegium distributions were correlated with local light availability implying site saturation. Microstegium micro-distributions suggested that spread along the road axis was facilitated by movement of dormant seeds in road maintenance. Thus, roadsides appear to function as both habitat and a conduit for population expansion, with the rate of spread dependent on the life history of the individual species. These results suggest a hierarchical process of regional invasion, with different dispersal mechanisms functioning at different spatial scales.
Orbitofrontal inactivation impairs reversal of Pavlovian learning by interfering with disinhibition of responding for previously unrewarded cues

Orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is critical for reversal learning. Reversal deficits are typically demonstrated in complex settings that combine Pavlovian and instrumental learning. Yet recent work has implicated the OFC specifically in behaviors guided by cues and the features of the specific outcomes they predict. To test whether the OFC is important for reversing such Pavlovian associations in the absence of confounding instrumental requirements, we trained rats on a simple Pavlovian task in which two auditory cues were presented, one paired with a food pellet reward and the other presented without reward. After learning, we reversed the cue-outcome associations. For half the rats, OFC was inactivated prior to each reversal session. Inactivation of OFC impaired the ability of the rats to reverse conditioned responding. This deficit reflected the inability of inactivated rats to develop normal responding for the previously unrewarded cue; inactivation of OFC had no impact on the ability of the rats to inhibit responding to the previously rewarded cue. These data show that OFC is critical to reversal of Pavlovian responding, and that the role of OFC in this behavior cannot be explained as a simple deficit in response inhibition. Furthermore, the contrast between the normal inhibition of responding, reported here, and impaired inhibition of responding during Pavlovian over-expectation, reported previously, suggests the novel hypothesis that OFC may be particularly critical for learning (or behavior) when it requires the subject to generate predictions about outcomes by bringing together or integrating disparate pieces of associative information.
Evolutionary Algorithms for Robust Density-Based Data Clustering

Density-based clustering methods are known to be robust against outliers in data; however, they are sensitive to user-specified parameters, the selection of which is not trivial. Moreover, relational data clustering is an area that has received considerably less attention than object data clustering. In this paper, two approaches to robust density-based clustering for relational data using evolutionary computation are investigated.
A social-epidemiological five year cohort study of homeless families: a public/private joint venture policy analysis utilizing applied computer technology

Summary There are significant social investments in families uprooted by homelessness. There are no data clearly delineating types of families helped, and how long help has sustained them. Computer technology was utilized to track eight hundred and seventy-five homeless families who received networked services from both public and private providers in a case managed family shelter from 1983 to 1987. Discussed are secondary data in case files and primary data from field interviews on longitudinal residential history, employment, familial and demographic changes, and service needs. Policy questions focus on current residential stability and community reintegration.
Tailoring is a Profession, Seamstressing is Work! Resiting Work and Reworking Gender Identities among Artisanal Garment Workers in Quito:

Geographers have paid relatively little attention to the processes by which occupations and sites of work become gendered. This case study of Ecuador provides a template for examining how gender identities are constituted in the physical and discursive sites of paid work. Neoliberal restructuring in Ecuador has wrought dramatic changes on work and daily life in Quito. Specifically economic restructuring is producing new spaces of work in garment production and this presents a moment for examining how existing gender divisions of garment work are being maintained or reworked. This study sets the context for an analysis of the social construction of occupational segmentation by examining how the political-economy of neoliberalism is producing new sites of work. Within this context I examine how gendered discourses of skill are reproduced or transformed with changing demand for workers and I examine how workers narrate their gender identities as revealed through in-depth discussions of their jobs and households. (authors)
The Carolina Child Checklist of Risk and Protective Factors for Aggression

Objective: Extending the Social Health Profile and other instruments that measure problem behavior in childhood, the Carolina Child Checklist (CCC) was developed to measure risk and protective factors related to aggressive behavior in children ages 6 to 12. This study reports the psychometric properties of the CCC. Method: The measure’s dimensionality, reliability (internal consistency and test-retest), standard error of measurement, and validity (convergent, concurrent, treatment sensitivity) were evaluated in a project involving 171 sixth-grade students. Results: Factor analysis indicated four dimensions called Learning Orientation (behaviors and attributes related to classroom success), Relational Aggression, Social Involvement, and Physical Aggression. The measure has high internal consistency with low measurement error. Test-retest findings suggest a stable measure. The CCC has good convergent and concurrent validity and appears sensitive to treatment effects. Conclusions: The CCC is a promising meas...
Restoring contaminated groundwater: an achievable goal?

According to a new National Research Council (NRC) study published this month, groundwater restoration may be possible for sites with relatively simple contamination scenarios, but for the most complex sites, which includes the majority of Superfund sites, existing technologies may be unable to restore significant areas to health-based standards. In addition to analyzing conventional pump-and-treat systems, the committee evaluated innovative groundwater and soil cleanup technologies currently under testing and development. Based on its review of the technical, economic, and policy issues raised by the societal goal of cleaning up contaminated groundwater, the committee identified four key areas where change is needed to improve regulation of the cleanup process. The first area is the setting of groundwater cleanup standards by regulatory agencies. The second area the committee found in need of change is in incentives to use innovative technologies. Third, the committee recommends the use of expert panels in technical feasibility evaluations at complex sites. Finally, the committee emphasizes the importance of systematic and continued evaluation of subsurface remediation efforts around the country. 11 refs., 2 tabs.
Non-linear Dynamical Classification of Short Time Series of the Rössler System in High Noise Regimes

Time series analysis with delay differential equations (DDEs) reveals nonlinear properties of the underlying dynamical system and can serve as a non-linear time-domain classification tool. Here global DDE models were used to analyze short segments of simulated time series from a known dynamical system, the Rossler system, in high noise regimes. In a companion paper, we apply the DDE model developed here to classify short segments of encephalographic (EEG) data recorded from patients with Parkinson's disease and healthy subjects. Nine simulated subjects in each of two distinct classes were generated by varying the bifurcation parameter b and keeping the other two parameters (a and c) of the Rossler system fixed. All choices of b were in the chaotic parameter range. We diluted the simulated data using white noise ranging from 10dB to -30dB signal-to-noise ratios (SNR). Structure selection was supervised by selecting the number of terms, delays, and order of nonlinearity of the model DDE model that best linearly separated the two classes of data. The distances d from the linear dividing hyperplane was then used to assess the classification performance by computing the area A' under the ROC curve. The selected model was tested on untrained data using repeated random sub-sampling validation. DDEs were able to accurately distinguish the two dynamical conditions, and moreover, to quantify the changes in the dynamics. There was a significant correlation between the dynamical bifurcation parameter b of the simulated data and the classification parameter d from our analysis. This correlation still held for new simulated subjects with new dynamical parameters selected from each of the two dynamical regimes. Furthermore, the correlation was robust to added noise, being significant even when the noise was greater than the signal. We conclude that DDE models may be used as a generalizable and reliable classification tool for even small segments of noisy data.
Relationship between Alcohol Use/Abuse, HIV Infection and Neuropsychological Performance in African American Men

This study examines the impact of alcohol use and HIV infection on neuropsychological performance in a sample of 497 community-resident African American men. HIV serostatus and alcohol use (during the past 12 months) exerted an interactive effect on psychomotor speed, reaction time, and motor speed, and in general, HIV infected heavy drinkers evidenced significantly poorer performance than other HIV positive subjects. Main effects for HIV serostatus were noted for reaction time, with seronegative men performing better than seropositives. This study examines a sample of men who continue to show increases in HIV infection, however, sample specific issues such as comorbid substance use, past histories of head injury, and lack of data on alcohol abuse and dependence require caution in definitively attributing the findings solely to alcohol and HIV. However, these findings suggest that relatively recent heavy alcohol use may represent a potential risk factor for more rapid or pronounced cognitive decline in HIV positive individuals, and that these patterns may be even more pronounced in persons with comorbid substance use.
The effects of arcjet thruster operating condition constrictor geometry on the plasma plume

Measurements of plasma number density and electron temperature were obtained in the plumes of lab arcjet thrusters using electrostatic probes of both spherical and cylindrical geometry. The two arcjet thrusters used had different constrictor and/or nozzle geometries and operated on mixtures of nitrogen, hydrogen, and ammonia to simulate the decomposition products of hydrazine and ammonia. An increase in the measured electron density was observed for both geometries with increasing arc power at a constant mass flow rate and with increasing mass flow rate at a constant arc current. For a given operating condition, the electron number density decreased exponentially off centerline and followed an inverse distance squared relationship along the thrust axis. Typical measured electron temperatures ranged from 0.1 to 0.2 eV.
Tensor Transmission-Line Metamaterials

Transmission-line (TL) metamaterials possessing effective material parameters that are diagonal in the Cartesian basis have been previously studied. In this paper, TL metamaterials with arbitrary full tensors are introduced and analyzed. An approximate tensor analysis of the proposed metamaterials is first developed. Bloch analysis is then used to verify the approximate analysis and derive exact dispersion equations and impedance relations. Finally, simulation results are presented that validate the analysis and show the utility of this new class of metamaterials. The ability to design tensor metamaterials such as these is crucial to the practical implementation of novel devices derived through transformational optics/electromagnetics.
Mutagenesis of the P-loop motif in the ATP binding site of the RecA protein from Escherichia coli.

Abstract Using a combinatorial cassette mutagenesis procedure we have introduced a number of mutations into 10 codons that define the P-loop motif within the ATP binding site of the Escherichia coli RecA protein. The recombinational proficiency of the recA mutants was determined using three genetic assays: survival in the presence of 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide, survival following UV irradiation and the ability to support plaque formation by a red-gam-Chi+ λ phage. While no amino acid substitutions were allowed at the four residues that define the P-loop consensus sequence, a variety of changes at the other positions in this region were observed that allowed full or partial RecA function. This occurred despite the fact that these residues are very highly conserved among 22 eubacterial RecA proteins, and represent the most conserved stretch of 10 contiguous residues in the entire RecA sequence. Our results show that these residues display marked differences in the ability to support mutations. The mutability of each of these 10 residues is discussed in terms of possible functional and/or structural roles.
Atom probe tomography characterization of radiation-sensitive KS-01 weld

Abstract The microstructure of a radiation-sensitive KS-01 test weld has been characterized by atom probe tomography. The levels of copper, manganese, nickel and chromium in this weld were amongst the highest of all the steels used in Western reactor pressure vessels. After neutron irradiation to a fluence of 0.8 × 10 23 n m −2 ( E >1 MeV) at a temperature of 288 °C, this weld exhibited a large Charpy T 41J shift of 169 K, a large shift of the fracture toughness transition temperature of 160 K, a decrease in upper shelf energy from 118 to ∼78 J, and an increase in the yield strength from 600 to 826 MPa. However, the mechanical properties data conformed to the master curve. Atom probe tomography revealed a high number density (∼3 × 10 24 m −3 ) of Cu-, Mn-, Ni-, Si- and P-enriched precipitates and a lower number density (∼1 × 10 23 m −3 ) of P clusters.
Alexithymia and pain in temporomandibular disorder.

Abstract Objective To clarify the relationship of global alexithymia and its facets with pain, assessed prospectively using experience sampling methods (ESMs), in temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Methods People with painful TMD ( n =49), pain-free somatic controls (24 people with disk displacement), and healthy controls ( n =28) completed measures of alexithymia (Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 [TAS-20]) and depressed mood. Patients with painful TMD used ESM to record jaw pain multiple times daily for a week. Results The somatic and the healthy controls were equivalent on alexithymia and were combined. The painful TMD group had higher difficulty in identifying feelings but lower externally oriented thinking (EOT); only the latter effect remained after covarying depressed mood. Among patients with painful TMD, the TAS-20 total and EOT correlated positively with pain severity after controlling for depressed mood. Conclusion Findings highlight the complex relationships of alexithymia and its facets to TMD pain. Research should examine alexithymia facets separately and distinguish between methods that compare groups on alexithymia (e.g., pain patients versus controls) and those that correlate alexithymia with pain severity within a group.
6Li diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY) and applications to organometallic complexes.

The development of 6Li diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY) is reported. This technique is applied to 6Li organometallic complexes. 6Li DOSY provides a facile means of identification of peaks in the 6Li spectrum, as well as evidence of mixed aggregates based on relative diffusion coefficients. 6Li data is correlated to 1H diffusion experiments through 6Li{1H} HOESY and/or 1H{6Li} HMBC experiments to obtain formula weight information of Li aggregates.
Systematic Errors in the Four Vertical Algorithms in Normal and Handicapped Populations.

The literature is replete with suggestions for the remedial teaching of arithmetic, but more actual research is needed on all the various aspects of learning problems in arithmetic. This study was conceived to identify the most frequently occurring systematic errors in commonplace addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division algorithms for whole numbers. In the process, a description of the systematic errors was developed for each algorithm.
Early abdominal sonographic findings in patients with dengue fever.

Purpose This study was conducted to evaluate the early sonographic findings in dengue hemorrhagic fever. Methods From July 2002 to September 2002, 86 patients were referred to our center with suspected dengue fever during an outbreak of the disease in Taiwan. All the patients underwent immediate abdominal sonography when they arrived at our emergency room. The diagnosis of dengue fever was subsequently confirmed by serology in 65 patients. Results All our patients had type 2 dengue fever, as confirmed by serologic tests. The sonographic features included a thickened gallbladder wall in 38 patients (59%), ascites in 24 patients (37%), splenomegaly in 22 patients (34%), and pleural effusion in 21 patients (32%); pleural effusion was either right-sided or bilateral. Conclusions Abdominal sonography can be used as a first-line imaging modality in patients with suspected dengue fever to detect early signs suggestive of the disease prior to obtaining serologic confirmation test results, especially in a dengue fever epidemic area. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 32:386–388, 2004
Aerospace power technology for potential terrestrial applications

Aerospace technology that is being developed for space and aeronautical applications has great potential for providing technical advances for terrestrial power systems. Some recent accomplishments arising from activities being pursued at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Centers is described in this paper. Possible terrestrial applications of the new aerospace technology are also discussed.
Phase and thermal stabilization of ammonium nitrate in the form of PVP–AN glass

Abstract In order to accomplish both phase and thermal stabilization of ammonium nitrate (AN), a new material has been developed, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)–AN glass. PVP is capable of separating AN into its ions through an ion–dipole interaction with PVP. The ions remain separated below the glass transition temperature ( T g ) of PVP (∼ 160 °C) which is confirmed by the disappearance of the solid–solid phase transitions associated with AN. Above the T g , AN ions recombine, giving rise to a fast exothermic reaction. The material has been characterized by DSC, TGA, FTIR and quantum mechanical methods.
An Elasticity Based Mesh Scheme Applied to the Computation of Unsteady Three Dimensional Spoiler and Aeroelastic Problems

This paper presents a modification of the spring analogy scheme which uses axial linear spring stiffness with selective spring stiffening/relaxation. An alternate approach to solving the geometric conservation law is taken which eleminates the need for storage of metric Jacobians at previous time steps. Efficiency and verification are illustrated with several unsteady 2-D airfoil Euler computations. The method is next applied to the computation of the turbulent flow about a 2-D airfoil and wing with two and three dimensional moving spoiler surfaces, and the results compared with Benchmark Active Controls Technology (BACT) experimental data. The aeroelastic response at low dynamic pressure of an airfoil to a single large scale oscillation of a spoiler surface is computed. This study confirms that it is possible to achieve accurate solutions with a very large time step for aeroelastic problems using the fluid solver and aeroelastic integrator as discussed in this paper.
Hemifacial microsomia and treatment options for auricular replacement: A review of the literature

Abstract Statement of problem. Although surgical reconstruction is the treatment of choice for auricular deformities that result from hemifacial microsomia, the implant-retained auricular prosthesis must be considered when surgical reconstruction is not possible. The competent and successful practitioner should be knowledgeable of the nature of this congenital disease. Purpose. This article reviewed the first and second branchial syndrome, treatment approaches, and potential advances in surgical and prosthetic rehabilitation for patients with hemifacial microsomia. Conclusion. Advantages and disadvantages of autogenous and alloplastic ear reconstructions are discussed. New research initiatives, such as tissue engineering and fabrication of auricular prosthesis by CAD/CAM, offer the potential for improved treatment for the future treatment of hemifacial microsomia. (J Prosthet Dent 1999;82:197-204.)
PENET: A practical method and tool for integrated modeling of security attacks and countermeasures

With the rise of cyber attack activities in the recent years, research in this area has gained immense emphasis. One of such research efforts is modeling of cyber attacks and countermeasures. In this context, several modeling approaches have been developed, such as approaches based on attack trees and on various stochastic tools. Attack tree model is one of the most intuitive and widely used tool. Although its simple design possesses various strengths, some unaddressed weaknesses such as imprecise analysis, limited modeling capabilities, and static nature plague its full potential. We propose a new modeling approach, called PENET, by extending the attack trees with new modeling constructs and analysis approaches. We add dynamic constructs for modeling dynamic behavior of system, arrival constructs that model periodic nature of attacks based on their cost, and defense constructs that model reparability of an insecure system. Petri Net Attack Modeling (PENET) approach has ability to convert and enhance existing attack trees with finer parameters, dynamic constructs, Petri net representation power, and intuitive time-domain analysis. We show how attack trees can be converted and analyzed in Petri net domain. We provide algorithm for time-domain analysis of PENET model, and performance metrics that are used to quantitatively describe survivability of a vulnerable system and effectiveness of attacker and victim's efforts. Next, we introduce PENET Tool as a practical software implementation of our approach. Finally, we provide a case study that illustrates the PENET approach. Security, dependability evaluation, security evaluation, performability evaluation, stochastic modeling.
Generalized ellipsometric method for the determination of all the optical constants of the system: Optically absorbing film on an absorbing substrate

Abstract A numerical method has been developed to evaluate all the optical parameters of the system of an optically absorbing film on an absorbing substrate using ellipsometric measurements. The generality and validity of the algorithm has been investigated for different ideal cases. In addition the effects of the actual limited precision of ellipsometric measurements as well as the problem of multiple solutions have been studied.
Exploring associations between taste perception, oral anatomy and polymorphisms in the carbonic anhydrase (gustin) gene CA6.

Recent reports suggest that polymorphisms in the carbonic anhydrase gene CA6 (also known as gustin) may explain additional variation in the bitterness of 6-n-propylthiouracil beyond that explained by variation in the bitter receptor gene TAS2R38. CA6 (gustin) has been implicated in taste bud function and salivary buffer capacity. In the present study we examined associations between polymorphisms in the CA6 gene with salt and bitter taste perception, and oral anatomy. 243 subjects (146 female) aged 18–45 rated the intensity of five concentrations of 6-n-propylthiouracil and NaCl on a generalized Labeled Magnitude Scale (gLMS) in duplicate and one concentration of potassium chloride (KCl). Using salivary DNA, we examined 12 SNPs within CA6 in relation to taste intensity and number of fungiform papillae. We observed no difference in bitter taste perception from 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) or from potassium chloride for any of the SNPs examined. Perceived saltiness of NaCl on the other hand was significantly associated with a number of CA6 polymorphisms, and particularly rs3737665. Nonetheless, FP density did not vary between alleles of rs3737665, nor with any of the other CA6 SNPs. Also, we fail to find any evidence that CA6 effects on taste perception are due to differences in fungiform papilla number. Additional work is needed to confirm whether variations within the CA6 gene may be responsible for differences in salt taste perception.
The recognition of a particular form of late infantile amaurotic idiocy.

There is no clear chemical pathologic feature or unique enzymopathy to unequivocally characterize the cerebroretinal “degenerative” disorder designated by several titles including the eponym ‘Batten’s type of late infantile amaurotic idiocy’. It is however, possible, as illustrated by our experience reported in this paper, to identify a group of cases with a remarkably similar clinical syndrome and natural history, similar E.E.G. features, and morphological changes detected by electronmicroscopy.
Studies of atmospheric and oceanic phenomena with the NASA Scatterometer

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Scatterometer (NSCAT) was successfully launched into a near-polar, Sun-synchronous orbit on the Japanese Advanced Earth Observing Satellite (ADEOS) in August 1996 from Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. The six antennas of NSCAT send microwave pulses at a frequency of 14 GHz to the Earth's surface and measure the backscatter. The antennas scan two 600-km bands of the ocean which are separated by a 330-km data gap. From NSCAT observations, surface wind vectors can be derived at 25-km spatial resolution, covering 77% of the ice-free ocean in one day and 97% of the ocean in two days. This article describes the information gathered by NSCAT about equatorial Kelvin waves, monsoon phenomena and typhoons.
Immune–neural connections: how the immune system’s response to infectious agents influences behavior

Humans and animals use the classical five senses of sight, sound, touch, smell and taste to monitor their environment. The very survival of feral animals depends on these sensory perception systems, which is a central theme in scholarly research on comparative aspects of anatomy and physiology. But how do all of us sense and respond to an infection? We cannot see, hear, feel, smell or taste bacterial and viral pathogens, but humans and animals alike are fully aware of symptoms of sickness that are caused by these microbes. Pain, fatigue, altered sleep pattern, anorexia and fever are common symptoms in both sick animals and humans. Many of these physiological changes represent adaptive responses that are considered to promote animal survival, and this constellation of events results in sickness behavior. Infectious agents display a variety of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that are recognized by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). These PRR are expressed on both the surface [e.g. Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4] and in the cytoplasm [e.g. nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (Nod)-like receptors] of cells of the innate immune system, primarily macrophages and dendritic cells. These cells initiate and propagate an inflammatory response by stimulating the synthesis and release of a variety of cytokines. Once an infection has occurred in the periphery, both cytokines and bacterial toxins deliver this information to the brain using both humoral and neuronal routes of communication. For example, binding of PRR can lead to activation of the afferent vagus nerve, which communicates neuronal signals via the lower brain stem (nucleus tractus solitarius) to higher brain centers such as the hypothalamus and amygdala. Blood-borne cytokines initiate a cytokine response from vascular endothelial cells that form the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Cytokines can also reach the brain directly by leakage through the BBB via circumventricular organs or by being synthesized within the brain, thus forming a mirror image of the cytokine milieu in the periphery. Although all cells within the brain are capable of initiating cytokine secretion, microglia have an early response to incoming neuronal and humoral stimuli. Inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines that are induced following bacterial infection blocks the appearance of sickness behaviors. Collectively, these data are consistent with the notion that the immune system communicates with the brain to regulate behavior in a way that is consistent with animal survival.
The Effects of Evaluation on Organizational Processing

This research investigated the idea that evaluation would influence individuals' ability to recognize the similarities among sequentially presented concepts. Subjects were given a list of words to categorize in front of an audience or alone within a specified amount of time. Although audience presence had no significant effect on free recall, clustering scores indicated that subjects' ability to organize information decreased in the presence of an audience. This finding supports the hypothesis that audience presence can reduce available processing resources and thereby reduce the likelihood of shared-feature (i.e., organizational) processing. The implications of this finding for stereotypical categorizations in person perception were discussed.
An examination of the effect of landscape pattern, land surface temperature, and socioeconomic conditions on WNV dissemination in Chicago

This paper developed an approach by the synthesis of remote sensing, landscape metrics, and statistical methods to examine the effects of landscape pattern, land surface temperature, and socioeconomic conditions on the spread of West Nile virus (WNV) caused by mosquitoes and an- imal hosts in Chicago, USA. Land use/land cover and land surface temperature images were derived from Terra's Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer imagery. An analytical procedure using landscape metrics was developed, applying configuration analysis of landscape patterns in the study area. The posi- tive reports of mosquitoes and animal hosts for WNV in fall, 2001-2006, were collected from the Cook County Public Health Department. Forty- nine municipalities were found to have WNV- positive records in mosquitoes and animal hosts in fall 2004. Socioeconomic data were obtained
Reactions to Failure and Success Among Gifted, Average, and EMR Students:

This investigation was designed to examine the reactions of gifted students, and to a lesser extent, those of average and EMR students, to success and failure in the school setting. Attributions, p...
A Note on Exchangeable Sequences.

Abstract : If (X sub 1),(X sub 2),... is an exchangeable sequence taking values in a complete, separable metric space, then there is a random variable M such that: (i) given M, (X sub 1),(X sub 2),... are conditionally independent and identically distributed; (ii) if (X sub 1),(X sub 2),... are conditionally independent and identically distributed given the random object Y, then a version of M is measurable with respect to the sigma-field spanned by Y; (iii) the sigma-field spanned by M coincides as a measure algebra with the invariant, tail, and exchangeable sigma-fields of the process (X sub 1),(X sub 2),... , even though none of the latter three is countably generated. (Author)
Image representation by one-bit Fourier phase: theory, sampling, and coherent image model

The problem of recovering an image from its Fourier-transform phase quantized to one bit, or, equivalently, finding the locations of the zero crossings of the real part of the Fourier transform, is addressed. Theoretical results are presented that set an algebraic condition under which real zero crossings uniquely specify a band-limited image. It is then shown that sampling in the frequency domain presents a major obstacle to obtaining good reconstruction results. The one-bit Fourier phase reconstruction problem is then considered when the original image is coherent, i.e. the image phase is random and highly uncorrelated. Examples are given which demonstrate that the information loss produced by frequency sampling is not as severe as that in the nonclassical problem. Motivated by digital phase-only holograms, a known random diffuser is used as the image phase and a well-known iterative reconstruction procedure is extended to incorporate the knowledge of the image phase at each stage of the iteration. This reconstruction method produces good image quality by using a few iterations, unlike its noncoherent counterpart. >
School reform: the role of physical education policy in physical activity of elementary school children in Alabama's Black Belt Region.

Abstract Purpose. To investigate the implementation of state- and school-mandated physical education (PE) and physical activity policies on students' school-day physical activity behaviors. Design. Observational, cross-sectional study. Setting. Five elementary schools in rural Alabama. Subjects. Six hundred and eighty-three school-age children. Measures. School-day physical activity behaviors were assessed with pedometer step count, the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time (SOFIT), and the System for Observing Play and Leisure Activity in Youth (SOPLAY). Analysis. Descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations) were used to describe the current health and in-school physical activity behaviors of students. Results. Students accumulated a daily average of 4079.57 (±1678.1) and 3473.44 (±1073.37) steps for boys and girls, respectively, throughout the school day. SOFIT findings indicate that students spent an average of 23.80 ± 5.33 min/d in PE and that 14.33 ± 6.10 min/d were spent in moderat...
New ages for the climactic eruptions at Yellowstone: Single-crystal 40Ar/39Ar dating identifies contamination

Ash beds associated with the three climactic Yellowstone ignimbrites form important Quaternary chronostratigraphic markers over much of the continental United States. Previous K-Ar ages determined on crystal concentrates from these ashes varied by as much as 60–100 k.y. Laser-fusion 40Ar/39Ar dating of single sanidine grains from these units reveals a small number of grains with anomalously old ages. Eliminating these from the weighted averages results in highly precise refined ages of 2.003 ± 0.014, 1.293 ± 0.012, and 0.602 ± 0.004 Ma (2σ errors) for the Huckleberry Ridge Tuff, Mesa Falls Tuff, and member B of the Lava Creek Tuff, respectively. Individual single-grain ages that are slightly too old could result from incomplete degassing of xenocrysts in the magma. Electron-microprobe analyses of sanidine splits reveal no obvious xenocrystic compositions, suggesting another possibility—that phenocrysts from the crystallized rind of the magma chamber were re-entrained into the magma prior to eruption. Contamination and natural variation in phenocryst age may create larger uncertainty in bulk-crystal dating of young silicic volcanic rocks than incomplete extraction of Ar from sanidine.
Analysis of corona motors and micromotors by means of effective gap conductivity

Corona motors are of possible interest in miniature applications because of their insensitivity to material properties and their ability to produce torque with DC excitation. These motors act through repulsive forces, and can be built in self-levitating arrangements to minimize friction. The nonlinear electrical characteristics are modeled through Fourier analysis of the stator input voltage and current waveforms. An equivalent gap conductivity is defined, and used to provide a linearized model of the charge and field distributions at the rotor surface. The analysis helps explain how a corona motor generates high speeds with DC excitation, and points out the basis for its asynchronous operation. Experimental tests of a macroscopic motor confirm that the model successfully describes the basic behavior of a corona motor. Operation of a small (100 /spl mu/m) cylindrical motor is considered through simulation. Such a device is expected to be capable of very high speeds with DC input and no special control. >
Randomized modulation in power electronic converters

This article reviews analytical results and practical experience with randomized modulation in power electronic converters. After providing a brief overview of power electronics and of relevant switching patterns, the authors present performance specifications for converters (in terms of electromagnetic interference, vibrations and acoustic noise), and classify various randomized switching schemes. They review the most directly related references next, and introduce the mathematical objects of primary interest-averaged autocorrelation and power spectrum. They then list some results for the (simpler) case of stationary modulation and consider in detail the more general case of randomized switching based on Markov chains. Their aim is twofold-to present results important for practice and to establish connections with several areas of applied probability. Finally, they consider the synthesis task for the two cases of randomized modulation, followed by brief conclusions.
Inflammatory Cytokines in Nonpathological States

During infection, inflammatory cytokines induce regulated changes in the host's internal milieu that create a hostile environment to an invading pathogen. Recent evidence indicates that these cytokines are constitutively produced, their production is increased by environmental stressors other than microbes, and they modulate “normal” physiological processes.
Na- and Cl-dependent glycine transport in human red blood cells and ghosts. A study of the binding of substrates to the outward-facing carrier.

Na- and Cl-dependent glycine transport was investigated in human red blood cells. The effects of the carrier substrates (Na, Cl, and glycine) on the glycine transport kinetics were studied with the goal of learning more about the mechanism of transport. The K1/2-gly was 100 microM and the Vmax-gly was 109 mumol/kg Hb.h. When cis Na was lowered (50 mM) the K1/2-gly increased and the Vmax-gly decreased, which was consistent with a preferred order of rapid equilibrium loading of glycine before Na. Na-dependent glycine influx as a function of Na concentration was sigmoidal, and direct measurement of glycine and Na uptake indicated a stoichiometry of 2 Na:1 glycine transported. The sigmoidal response of glycine influx to Na concentration was best fit by a model with ordered binding of Na, the first Na with a high K1/2 (greater than 250 mM), and the second Na with a low K1/2 (less than 10.3 mM). In the presence of low Cl (cis and trans 5 mM), the K1/2-gly increased and the Vmax-gly increased. The Cl dependence displayed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with a K1/2-Cl of 9.5 mM. At low Cl (5 mM Cl balanced with NO3), the glycine influx as a function of Na showed the same stoichiometry and Vmax-Na but a decreased affinity of the carrier for Na. These data suggested that Cl binds to the carrier before Na. Experiments comparing influx and efflux rates of transport using red blood cell ghosts indicated a functional asymmetry of the transporter. Under the same gradient conditions, Na- and Cl-dependent glycine transport functioned in both directions across the membrane but rates of efflux were 50% greater than rates of influx. In addition, the presence of trans substrates modified influx and efflux differently. Trans glycine largely inhibited glycine efflux in the absence or presence of trans Na; trans Na largely inhibited glycine influx and this inhibition was partially reversed when trans glycine was also present. A model for the binding of these substrates to the outward-facing carrier is presented.
All Parents Need Family Pediatrics

Two parts of my life cross continuously. One part is that of a health services researcher and a health psychologist, aiming to improve chronic disease care and management. The other part is that of the mother of a 3-year-old son with a rare neuromuscular disorder called Schwartz-Jampel syndrome. No university could have prepared me for the steep learning curve that I first encountered in July 2001. This part of my life has been challenging, humbling, and anxiety-provoking, yet it also has provided me with a perspective on parenthood, mental health services, and health care that I could not have gained except by first-hand experience. It is because of this part of my life that I became a mental health services user. It is this part of my life that made me rethink the way that health care is delivered in the United States. And, it is this part of my life that, hopefully, will help me explain to providers who lack first-hand experience why we need family pediatrics. In 2003 the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Task Force on the Family produced a report in which they called for pediatricians to “modify their practice behaviors to promote good family functioning and effective parenting.”1 Included were recommendations for pediatricians to screen for family circumstances that put children at risk and policies and programs that … Address correspondence to A. Rani Elwy, PhD, Center for Health Quality, Outcomes, and Economic Research, Department of Veterans Affairs, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Hospital, 200 Springs Rd (152), Bedford, MA 01730. E-mail: relwy{at}bu.edu
Efficacy of a phytase derived from Escherichia coli and expressed in yeast on phosphorus utilization and bone mineralization in turkey poults

A slope-response bioassay was conducted with male turkey poults to determine the sparing effect of P, based on improvements in bone mineralization in turkey poults, from 10 to 21 d of age when diets were supplemented with a novel phytase. Reference diets for calculation of the sparing effect of P contained 0.47, 0.55, 0.70, and 0.79% nonphytate phosphorus (NPP). Diets with varying dosages of a swine, Escherichia coli-derived AppA2 phytase (ECP) expressed in Pichia pastoris yeast (0, 250, 500, 750, and 1,000 U/kg) were added to the 0.47% NPP diet and improvements in bone mineralization determined the sparing effect of P supplied from ECP. Two additional reference diets were included that contained 500 U/kg from one of two commercial phytases (PA and PB) derived from Aspergillus and Peniophora. At 500 U/kg diet the ECP spared an additional 0.22% NPP (if calculated from tibia ash %), 0.18% NPP (if calculated from toe ash %), 0.24% NPP (if calculated from mg tibia ash), or 0.21% NPP (if calculated from mg toe ash). Phosphorus retention results validate bioassay results, in that 500 U ECP/kg resulted in 68.2% P being retained (0.49% of diet P retained) as compared with only 58.9% P being retained from the unsupplemented control diet (0.421% of diet P retained; P < 0.05).