cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using a mathematical model to analyze the role of probiotics and inflammation in necrotizing enterocolitis.

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe disease of the gastrointestinal tract of pre-term babies and is thought to be related to the physiological immaturity of the intestine and altered levels of normal flora in the gut. Understanding the factors that contribute to the pathology of NEC may lead to the development of treatment strategies aimed at re-establishing the integrity of the epithelial wall and preventing the propagation of inflammation in NEC. Several studies have shown a reduced incidence and severity of NEC in neonates treated with probiotics (beneficial bacteria species). Methodology/Principal Findings: The objective of this study is to use a mathematical model to predict the conditions under which probiotics may be successful in promoting the health of infants suffering from NEC. An ordinary differential equation model is developed that tracks the populations of pathogenic and probiotic bacteria in the intestinal lumen and in the blood/tissue region. The permeability of the intestinal epithelial layer is treated as a variable, and the role of the inflammatory response is included. The model predicts that in the presence of probiotics health is restored in many cases that would have been otherwise pathogenic. The timing of probiotic administration is also shown to determine whether or not health is restored. Finally, the model predicts that probiotics may be harmful to the NEC patient under very specific conditions, perhaps explaining the detrimental effects of probiotics observed in some clinical studies. Conclusions/Significance: The reduced, experimentally motivated mathematical model that we have developed suggests how a certain general set of characteristics of probiotics can lead to beneficial or detrimental outcomes for infants suffering from NEC, depending on the influences of probiotics on defined features of the inflammatory response.
Contingency assessment under uncertainty for voltage collapse and its application in risk based contingency ranking

Abstract This paper proposes contingency assessment method that takes into account the nature of probability distribution of power system operating conditions to get realistic severity and risk estimations of contingencies. The uncertainty in operating conditions is captured by a mutually correlated non-parametric multivariate distribution, in addition to traditional standard distributions such as multivariate normal. While capturing these important features of operating conditions, the method also addresses reducing computational requirements by using linear sensitivities and machine learning techniques. The developed contingency assessment methods are applied on SEO region (Systeme Electrique Ouest, West France) of French EHV system to estimate severities and eventually rank the selected contingencies based on risk of voltage collapse.
Averaging of stochastic flows: Twist maps and escape from resonance ☆

Abstract Our setup is a classical stochastic averaging one studied by Has’minskiĭ, which is a two-dimensional SDE (on a cylinder) consisting of a fast angular drift and a slow axial diffusion. We seek to understand the asymptotics of the flow generated by this SDE. To do so, we fix n initial points on the cylinder and consider the axial components of the trajectories evolving from these points. We conclude a propagation-of-chaos. There are two components of the limiting n -point motion: a common Brownian motion, and n independent Brownian motions, one for each initial point.
Comment on "Carbon-Negative Biofuels from Low-Input High-Diversity Grassland Biomass"

Tilman et al. (Reports, 8 December 2006, p. 1598) argued that low-input high-diversity grasslands can provide a substantial proportion of global energy needs. We contend that their conclusions are not substantiated by their experimental protocol. The authors understated the management inputs required to establish prairies, extrapolated globally from site-specific results, and presented potentially misleading energy accounting.
Diabetes prevention in American Indians and Alaska natives: where are we in 1994?

American Indians and Alaska Natives have experienced rapidly increasing rates of non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM). To address this epidemic Indian Health Service (IHS) and tribal communities have developed primary, second and tertiary intervention strategies. The scientific basis for secondary and tertiary prevention supports well-defined care practices, and the surveillance of the implementation of these practices and their impact on metabolic and hypertension control is now standard. Community interventions for the primary prevention of diabetes are underway and reflect the priorities of individual communities.
Evolving the ingredients for reciprocity and spite.

Darwin never provided a satisfactory account of altruism, but posed the problem beautifully in light of the logic of natural selection. Hamilton and Williams delivered the necessary satisfaction by appealing to kinship, and Trivers showed that kinship was not necessary as long as the originally altruistic act was conditionally reciprocated. From the late 1970s to the present, the kinship theories in particular have been supported by considerable empirical data and elaborated to explore a number of other social interactions such as cooperation, selfishness and punishment, giving us what is now a rich description of the nature of social relationships among organisms. There are, however, two forms of theoretically possible social interactions—reciprocity and spite—that appear absent or nearly so in non-human vertebrates, despite considerable research efforts on a wide diversity of species. We suggest that the rather weak comparative evidence for these interactions is predicted once we consider the requisite socioecological pressures and psychological mechanisms. That is, a consideration of ultimate demands and proximate prerequisites leads to the prediction that reciprocity and spite should be rare in non-human animals, and common in humans. In particular, reciprocity and spite evolved in humans because of adaptive demands on cooperation among unrelated individuals living in large groups, and the integrative capacities of inequity detection, future-oriented decision-making and inhibitory control.
The Power of Accurate Energetics (or Thermochemistry: What is it Good for?)

The utility of measuring the energetics of ion-molecule reactions is discussed. After distinguishing between the terms of thermodynamics (macroscopic, equilibrium quantities) and energetics (microscopic and kinetically relevant quantities), the potential energy surfaces for ion-molecule reactions are reviewed and their implications discussed. Equations describing the kinetic energy dependence of ion-molecule reactions are introduced and the effects of entropy on reaction rates and branching ratios are discussed. Several case histories allow an exploration of the utility of accurate thermochemical information and probe how accurate such energetic information must be to be predictive. These case studies include decomposition of hydrated metal dications, the reaction of FeO+ with H2, and fragmentation of a small protonated peptide (GG). These illustrate a range of interesting systems for which accurate energetic information has been influential in understanding the observed reactivity. Comparisons with theory demonstrate that experimental information is still required for truly predictive capability.
Bulimic Behaviors and Alcohol Use: Shared Genetic Influences

Bulimic behaviors are frequently associated with alcohol use disorders. However, extant family and twin study findings have been inconsistent with regard to whether these behaviors share etiologic influences. A sample of 292 young adult, female twins was used to examine genetic and environmental factors underlying the association between binge eating and compensatory behaviors (e.g., vomiting) and alcohol use. Binge eating and compensatory behaviors were assessed using the Minnesota Eating Behavior Survey. Alcohol use was measured using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Univariate models indicated that the heritability of binge eating, compensatory behaviors, and alcohol use was 41, 28, and 78%, respectively, with the remaining variance due to nonshared environmental effects. Bivariate models indicated that there was a moderate-to-large degree of overlap (genetic correlation = 0.31–0.61) in additive genetic factors between alcohol use and binge eating and compensatory behaviors, and no overlap in environmental effects. Findings suggest that these phenotypes co-aggregate in families and that similar genes or heritable traits may be contributing to their co-occurrence.
Complementary versus Contrastive Classification in Preschool Children.

Abstract We compare 3-year-old children's superordinate level classification under two experimental conditions. In the Complementary condition, children were instructed to sort a set of pictures three times, each time extracting a different “target” class (e.g., Animals) from the remaining items (e.g., Clothing and Food). In the Contrastive condition, they formed the three superordinate level classes simultaneously within a single trial (Animals vs Clothing vs Food). Because the probability of assigning items correctly by chance differs under these two conditions, we introduce statistical adjustments to take the different rates of chance success into account. Although children in the Contrastive condition had to divide their attention among three target classes, while those in the Complementary condition had to focus on only one target category per trial, there was no mean difference between these two experimental conditions. There was, however, a striking difference in the distributions under the two conditions: scores in the Contrastive condition were bimodally distributed, while those in the Complementary condition were more normally distributed. A second study, using different categories (Furniture, Vehicles, and Clothing), revealed the same effects. These data suggest that contrast in classification benefits some, but not all, preschool children.
Frequency and mechanism of persistent systolic anterior motion and mitral regurgitation after septal ablation in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Relief of obstruction using ventricular septal ablation (VSA) may not eliminate systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral valve and mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The hypothesis was that persistent SAM after VSA was secondary to anterior papillary muscle displacement and malcoaptation of mitral valve leaflets and that these findings could predict persistence of SAM. Echocardiograms were examined from 37 patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy before and 12+/-3 months after VSA. Anterior leaflet malposition (anterior-to-posterior leaflet coaptation position ratio), papillary muscle malposition (septal-to-lateral/left ventricular internal diameter ratio), and anterior position of coaptation relative to the septum (coaptation-to-septal distance) were assessed. MR proximal jet width was also measured. Of 37 patients, 30 underwent successful VSA (left ventricular outflow tract gradient reduction>50%); 22 of 30 and 7 of 7 with 45 mm Hg in 9 vs 0, p=0.03, respectively) in patients with persistent SAM. Anterior malposition was present before VSA, with anterior-to-posterior leaflet coaptation position ratio<0.5 predicting SAM after VSA (p<0.0001). In conclusion, SAM and MR were often not eliminated using VSA. Mitral valve malposition was a strong predictor of SAM and MR reduction after VSA and may need to be considered in optimizing results of this procedure.
Design and fabrication of optimal constrained layer damping topologies

Of the many methods available for achieving effective vibration damping, adding viscoelastic lamina constrained by a stiff elastic materials is an inexpensive, space efficient means for achieving significant damping levels. Recently, the desire to apportion this material in a way that will take the greatest advantage of its dissipative characteristics has led to studies in optimization 1-7 . The aim of this research is to determine the optimal shape of a constrained viscoelastic layer on an elastic beam used for vibration damping by means of topology optimization and to experimentally verify these results. The optimization objective is to maximize the system loss factor for the first resonance frequency of the base beam. All previous optimal design studies on viscoelastic lamina have been size or shape optimization studies assuming a certain topology for the damping treatment (with the exception of Lumsdaine 8 and Lumsdaine and Pai 9 , of which this work is an extension). In this study, this assumption is relaxed, allowing an optimal topology to emerge. The loss factor is computed using the Modified Modal Strain Energy Method 10 in the optimization process. It is observed that a novel topology emerges from the optimized result. From this computational result, a topology is interpreted that can be reasonably manufactured, and this topology is custom fabricated to experimentally validate the computational result. The experimental results show that significant improvement in damping performance, over 300%, is obtained by optimizing the constrained damping layer topology.
Growth, lobbying and public goods

Abstract The possibility that the benefits of lobbying may spill over to other members of society is incorporated into an endogenous growth framework to show that an increase in lobbying may improve welfare and growth even when motivated by self-interest. This case arises when the social benefits of such spillovers dominate the adverse effects of lobbying (e.g., more taxes to pay for policies). In general, however, the decentralized economy grows less than is socially desirable as agents lobby either too much or too little. Rent seeking is a special case of overlobbying where spillovers are absent and, thus, agents always overlobby from a social point of view. Also, the decentralized economy's propensity to lobby increases with the share of public investments in national income.
Atrial fibrillation in heart failure: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and rationale for therapy

Heart failure (HF) affects almost 5 million patients in the United States and is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Atrial fibrillation (AF), like HF, affects millions of patients and markedly increases in prevalence with age. As the US population ages, the number of patients afflicted with HF and AF will continue to grow. HF with preserved ejection fraction is particularly common in the elderly population. The prevalence of AF in patients with HF increases from <10% in those with New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class I HF to approximately 50% in those with NYHA functional class IV HF. The pathophysiologic changes that occur in patients with HF and AF are complex and incompletely understood. Alterations in neurohormonal activation, electrophysiologic parameters, and mechanical factors conspire to create an environment in which HF predisposes to AF and AF exacerbates HF. Mechanisms include atrial remodeling and tachycardia-induced myopathy. The development of AF in HF appears to independently predict death resulting from pump failure and total mortality. Although the currently available therapeutic options for AF in patients with HF are varied, their effect on prognosis remains unknown and is the subject of ongoing clinical trials. It will be critical to define and plan therapies specifically for those patients with AF, HF, and preserved ejection fraction in addition to the population with low ejection fraction that has dominated previous investigations.
Economic Development in Early America: Three Perspectives

Although all three of the books under review address aspects of eco nomic development in early America, the periods covered, method ologies chosen, and theoretical assumptions of each author diverge dramatically. Robert Wright starts with the ubiquitous problem in America of insufficient financial liquidity: business in the colonial and early national periods was persistently conducted without enough currency or adequate institutions to meet expanding economic needs. His story is about how a few leading Americans rather sud denly grasped for solutions to overcome these obstacles. Janet Sis kind uses three generations of one Connecticut-based family to probe a much longer-lasting transition toward industrial capitalism that in
Myosin light chain 1 isoform expression remains constant during ageing in Wistar F455 rats.

In order to study muscle gene expression during ageing, we examined both protein and total cellular RNA from Wistar F455 rat soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles at a variety of chronological ages. We found no evidence of the reappearance of the fast protein isoform of myosin light chain 1 [MLC1] in the slow soleus muscle during ageing previously reported by Syrovy and Gutmann, Pflugers Arch., 369 (1977) 85-89. We used both SDS-PAGE analysis of MLC1 proteins and slot blot RNA analysis with a probe specific for rat fast MLC1 mRNA (pC91), and found no changes in fast MLC1 expression during ageing in soleus or EDL muscles from these rats. These results indicate that re-expression of the fast MLC1 isoform is not a universal property of ageing soleus muscle.
Chrysophyte stomatocyst production in laboratory culture and descriptions of seven cyst morphotypes

There is an extensive literature on chrysophyte stomatocysts from diverse habitats and their use as paleolimnetic indicators of past environmental conditions in lakes. The majority of these cysts are unidentified, and more laboratory studies are needed to link stomatocyst morphotypes to vegetative stages. A laboratory procedure that resulted in stomatocyst production in the chrysophyte alga Ochromonas pinguis (Chrysophyceae) was tested to determine if the protocol would also stimulate the production of stomatocysts in six other chrysophytes. Chrysolepidomonas dendrolepidota, Chrysosaccus cf. sphaericus, Dermatochrysis sp., Synura cf. americana, Synura cf. macropora and a second species of Ochromonas all produced stomatocysts within two to three weeks. Morphology of the stomatocyst was described using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This was the first report of stomatocysts from Chrysosaccus and the first SEM description of O. pinguis cysts. These autecological studies provide a greater linkage between sediment stomatocysts and their biological origin, strengthening the interpretive value of these microfossils and broadening our understanding of chrysophyte biogeography.
Onset of sucrase-isomaltase deficiency in late adulthood

Sucrase-isomaltase deficiency is a rare disorder usually manifested as diarrhea in infancy. The presentation of such a deficiency in adulthood is even more rare, particularly when the individual has no history of childhood diarrhea. After a literature search, the 59-yr-old patient we report is the oldest to have been identified with this condition. The difficulties encountered in diagnosis when such a case occurs at this age that have not previously been reported are highlighted.
Design criteria for developing low-resource magnetic bead assays using surface tension valves

Many assays for biological sample processing and diagnostics are not suitable for use in settings that lack laboratory resources. We have recently described a simple, self-contained format based on magnetic beads for extracting infectious disease biomarkers from complex biological samples, which significantly reduces the time, expertise, and infrastructure required. This self-contained format has the potential to facilitate the application of other laboratory-based sample processing assays in low-resource settings. The technology is enabled by immiscible fluid barriers, or surface tension valves, which stably separate adjacent processing solutions within millimeter-diameter tubing and simultaneously permit the transit of magnetic beads across the interfaces. In this report, we identify the physical parameters of the materials that maximize fluid stability and bead transport and minimize solution carryover. We found that fluid stability is maximized with ≤0.8 mm i.d. tubing, valve fluids of similar density to the adjacent solutions, and tubing with ≤20 dyn/cm surface energy. Maximizing bead transport was achieved using ≥2.4 mm i.d. tubing, mineral oil valve fluid, and a mass of 1-3 mg beads. The amount of solution carryover across a surface tension valve was minimized using ≤0.2 mg of beads, tubing with ≤20 dyn/cm surface energy, and air separators. The most favorable parameter space for valve stability and bead transport was identified by combining our experimental results into a single plot using two dimensionless numbers. A strategy is presented for developing additional self-contained assays based on magnetic beads and surface tension valves for low-resource diagnostic applications.
More Than Epistemology: Relationships in Applied Research With Underserved Communities

The nature and consequences of researcher-participant relationships are explored within methodological frameworks, and the impact of relationship roles and decisions are examined through an example of applied research with low-income women and an agency that serves them. Three types of relationship issues and decisions are discussed: (1) the construction of research relationships with two groups of participants: agency staff and agency clients; (2) the involvement of multiple researchers; and (3) the definition and boundaries of the research relationships pertinent to work with people and communities with limited resources. Researcher-participant relationship dilemmas and decisions have implications for the quality of our research and the lives of our participants.
Radiobiology of radioimmunotherapy with 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin).

Abstract Radioimmunotherapy represents a significant advance over unlabeled immunotherapy for the treatment of patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The efficacy of radioimmunotherapeutic agents depends in large part on the basic biological effects associated with their components, monoclonal antibodies and radionuclides, separately and in combination. The radiobiological effects associated with yttrium 90-labeled ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin; Biogen Idec Inc, Cambridge, MA) include the induction of apoptosis and cell-cycle redistribution (eg, arrest of cells in the G 2 /M phase of the cell cycle). Because of dose-rate effects, tumor cells may, in some cases, be more susceptible to the low-dose-rate radiation used in radioimmunotherapy than to the high-dose-rate radiation used in external beam radiotherapy. The efficacy of radioimmunotherapy may potentially be optimized through a variety of approaches, including the use of agents that increase the expression of certain tumor antigens (thus facilitating improved biodistribution of radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies) or that sensitize tumor cells to radiation.
Attention: neuropsychological predictor of competency in Alzheimer's disease.

This study was undertaken to examine the relationship between two different competencies, financial and medical decision making, and explore whether neuropsychological testing can identify a common underlying cognitive oper ation impaired in patients with AD. The objective was to examine the neuropsychological predictors of financial and medical decision-making competencies in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Twenty individuals with mild to moderate AD and 20 control subjects matched for age and education were evaluated at a university medical center. All participants were administered a financial competency questionnaire, a competency test for medical deci sion making, and a set of standardized neuropsychological tests selected to reflect cognitive processes theoretically related to competency. In addition, an informant provided information regarding banking history for each partici pant. AD patients performed more poorly on all measures, including both measures of competency, which were highly re...
Ouabain conversion of aconitine-induced atrial tachycardias

Abstract In 13 open-chest dogs with normally innervated hearts, ouabain given intravenously (25 μg/kg) converted aconitine-induced atrial tachycardias to normal sinus rhythm, usually in 11 to 22 min. A smaller dose of ouabain (10 μg/kg) converted the arrhythmia to sinus rhythm in 1 of 3 dogs. When the dog had been treated with propranolol (0.5 mg/kg I.V.) 10 to 20 min before the application of aconitine, ouabain (25 μg/kg) converted the arrhythmia to sinus rhythm but atrial tachycardia recurred after 2 to 5 min. Acute vagotomy or phenoxybenzamine (5 mg/kg I.V.) did not prevent the characteristic ouabain effect.
Professionalism and Professionalization of Adult ESL Literacy

Adult ESL practitioners operate in a context in which full-time positions are rare, resources are scarce, and turnover is high. But efforts to professionalize the field should not be taken as an indictment of the professionalism of the adult ESL workforce. Even under adverse current working conditions, professionalism in the field is high, as is demonstrated by participation in ongoing professional development and the range of professional development models in use. Whereas both certification and credentialing have been proposed as ways of enhancing the professionalization of the field, credentialing may be more appropriate because it can provide for multiple routes of access to the profession. The article discusses three major models of adult ESL literacy professional development: craft or mentoring models, applied science or theory to practice models, and inquiry or reflective practice models. The article concludes by outlining each model, describing examples of each in adult ESL literacy and suggesting ways in which they can be effectively combined, looking to innovative teacher development practices in K-12 education as a guide.
Specific involvement of SRC family kinase activation in the pathogenesis of retinal neovascularization.

PURPOSE. Src family kinases (SFKs) are membrane-attached non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases that link a variety of extracellular cues to intracellular signal pathways. The purpose of this study was to characterize the roles of SFKs in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated retinal angiogenesis. METHODS. Primary rat retinal glial Muller cells and bovine and human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (RMECs) were used in the in vitro studies. A rat model of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) was used in the in vivo studies. RESULTS. In vitro, SFKs were essential for hypoxia-induced VEGF expression in Muller cells and for VEGF signaling in RMECs. However, neither process required significant further phosphorylation of the SFK activation loop Tyr416. In vivo, in a rat model of ROP, a pronounced increase of retinal SFK Tyr416 phosphorylation was observed that was specifically associated with pathologic angiogenesis. These retinas also expressed significantly higher levels of VEGF than did those in healthy controls. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that Muller cells were the major source of the elevated level of phospho-SFK Tyr416. Intravitreous injection of a selective SFK inhibitor, PP2, significantly reduced retinal VEGF and retinopathy in the ROP model, indicating that SFKs acted as important regulators in abnormal retinal angiogenesis. CONCLUSIONS. Together, these data suggest that SFK activation through a Tyr416-dependent mechanism may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of retinal neovascularization.
Sources of variability in apparent-contrast measurements made by brightness matching

The apparent contrast of backward- and forward-masked spatial sinusoids was measured by a brightness-matching technique suggested by Davidson (1966), designed to be free of artifacts associated with earlier matching methods. Data variability was relatively large due predominantly to (1) fluctuations in masking-interval duration, and (2) changes in the O’s criteria produced by the salient temporal and spatial differences between test and comparison fields. Several other potential sources of data variability were found to be negligible.
Mitochondrial telomeres: Surprising diversity of repeated telomeric DNA sequences among six species of Tetrahymena

Summary The DNA sequences at the ends of the linear mtDNAof 6 species of Tetrahymena encompassing 13 strains were determined. All the strains have variable numbers of a tandemly repeated DNA sequence, 31 bp to 53 bp in size, at their mtDNA termini. Based upon the size and nucleotide sequence of the terminal repeats, the telomeres can be separated into four classes. T. pigmentosa, hyperangularis, and hegewischi have different telomeric repeats on the two ends of their mtDNAs. The only conserved feature of the mtDNA termini is the presence of tandem repeats. The function of the repeats might be to promote unequal crossing over during recombination, thereby overcoming the problem of telomere replication for these linear DNAs.
Naming the land: San countermapping in Namibia’s West Caprivi

Abstract Both ‘indigenous rights’ and environmental discourses brought a NGO-led natural resource mapping project to the West Caprivi Game Park in northern Namibia in the late 1990s. San countermapping elsewhere in southern Africa demonstrates how mapping has been used as a tool for ‘indigenous’ identity-building and asserting authority over land. At the same time, mapping and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have increasingly been used by conservationists in Namibian Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM), demonstrating the potential therein for state and NGO surveillance and intervention regarding both natural resources and their users in conservancies and national parks. Mapping in West Caprivi thus embodied a tension between ‘visibility’ and ‘legibility’. This paper explores how mapping activities reflected, and became part of, institutional and ethnic struggles over identity, authority and natural resources. It argues that members of a San group called Khwe used mapping to construct particular histories, promote a unified, exclusive ethnic identity, and bolster their authority in the area. This in turn presented particular challenges for NGO relationships with the state. The mapping project also showed that, in their bid to counteract their own exclusion, Khwe not only opened up the landscape to new forms of NGO and state legibility, but sought to exclude ethnic others. Like other CBNRM projects, mapping often served socio-political, rather than environmental, functions.
On a linearized model and adaptive controller implementation for manipulator motion

The detailed model for the motion of a manipulator system is linearized along a specific path. An on-line parameter estimation algorithm based on the least-squares criterion is used to determine the parameter values along the path at the operating instances. Based on the estimated parameter values, a self-tuning adaptive controller is designed by minimizing a chosen performance criterion. Simulation results as well as experimental results are presented to demonstrate the approach. Certain aspects of the implementation are discussed.
A computational approach to inferring cellular protein- binding affinities from quantitative fluorescence resonance energy transfer imaging

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy can measure the spatial distribution of protein interactions inside live cells. Such experiments give rise to complex data sets with many images of single cells, motivating data reduction and abstraction. In particular, determination of the value of the equilibrium dissociation constant (K(d)) will provide a quantitative measure of protein-protein interactions, which is essential to reconstructing cellular signaling networks. Here, we investigate the feasibility of using quantitative FRET imaging of live cells to estimate the local value of K(d) for two interacting labeled molecules. An algorithm is developed to infer the values of K(d) using the intensity of individual voxels of 3-D FRET microscopy images. The performance of our algorithm is investigated using synthetic test data, both in the absence and in the presence of endogenous (unlabeled) proteins. The influence of optical blurring caused by the microscope (confocal or wide field) and detection noise on the accuracy of K(d) inference is studied. We show that deconvolution of images followed by analysis of intensity data at local level can improve the estimate of K(d). Finally, the performance of this algorithm using cellular data on the interaction between yellow fluorescent protein-Rac and cyan fluorescent protein-PBD in mammalian cells is shown.
Children’s orientation judgments: Retinally or environmentally determined?

Children between the ages of 3 and 9 years judged the uprightness of pictures of realistic figures under three conditions: tilt of the visual surround, tilt of the subject, and tilt of both subject and surround in the same direction. The tilts used were 0, 90, and 180 deg. Judgments were not affected by tilt of the visual surround alone. With 90-deg head tilt, subjects of all ages made judgments in terms of gravitational cues. With 180-deg tilt, the youngest children made judgments based on retinal cues, whereas the older children used gravitational cues more often. The discussion made two main proposals: that uprightness judgments could be based on different cues under 90- and 180-deg head tilts, and that the age differences were due to a change in the nature of the judgments being made rather than to a change in the framework used.
Potential symmetries for self-dual gauge fields

Abstract New symmetries of the self-dual Yang-Mills equation (SDYM) are reported. They are associated with the infinite set of symmetries of a closely related equation which we call the potential SDYM equation. These symmetries lead, in a remarkably simple way, to the construction of infinite collections of conserved Noether-like currents for the SDYM.
Dendritic patterning: Three-dimensional position determines dendritic avoidance capability

Neurons develop mutually exclusive dendritic domains through self-avoidance and tiling mechanisms. Two recent studies establish that this process is dependent on the restriction of dendrites to a two-dimensional plane through interactions with the extracellular matrix.
Satisfiability, sequence niches and molecular codes in cellular signalling

Biological information processing as implemented by regulatory and signalling networks in living cells requires sufficient specificity of molecular interaction to distinguish signals from one another, but much of regulation and signalling involves somewhat fuzzy and promiscuous recognition of molecular sequences and structures, which can leave systems vulnerable to crosstalk. A simple model of biomolecular interactions that reveals both a sharp onset of crosstalk and a fragmentation of the neutral network of viable solutions is examined as more proteins compete for regions of sequence space, revealing intrinsic limits to reliable signalling in the face of promiscuity. These results suggest connections to both phase transitions in constraint satisfaction problems and coding theory bounds on the size of communication codes.
Electrochemistry of Soluble UO22+ from the Direct Dissolution of UO2CO3 in Acidic Ionic liquid Containing Water

Abstract The direct dissolution of UO 2 CO 3 in neat and “wet” ionic liquid (IL) trimethyl-n-butylammonium bis(trifluoromethansulfonyl)imide [Me 3 N n Bu][TFSI] is examined. The ionic liquid serves as both the solvent for the direct dissolution of UO 2 CO 3 (s) and the electrolyte solution for the electrochemical analysis of the soluble uranyl species. The solubility data indicate that displacement of the CO 3 2− occurs slowly due to the low concentration of protons available from residual water in the pristine IL. Enhanced dissolution of UO 2 CO 3 through the formation of carbonic acid H 2 CO 3 is achieved after the addition of acid, bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide (HTFSI) and water. The soluble uranyl cation can then coordinate with the TFSI anion in place of the displaced CO 3 2− anion following the decomposition of carbonic acid and purging of CO 2 (g) and water from the IL. The solubility of UO 2 CO 3 was examined using liquid scintillation counting of 233 U for the pristine ionic liquid. The “wet” ionic liquid containing HTFSI and soluble UO 2 CO 3 was evaluated using UV/vis spectroscopy before and after dissolution. The electrochemical deposition of uranium species from ionic liquid was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry. The potential mediated deposition of uranium species was achieved and verified using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the solid uranium deposits were evaluated using energy dispersive X-ray emission spectroscopy (EDX).
Stress Control in Sputtered Silicon Nitride Films

We show that stress in sputter-deposited silicon nitride films can be controlled, making either compressive or tensile stress films achievable. These films were deposited via reactive rf magnetron sputtering using an elemental Si target and N2 as a reactive gas in an Ar ambient. Variation of stress as a function of deposition pressure and N2/Ar gas mixture ratio was examined over a wider range of these two parameters than in previous work. More importantly, this parameter space includes conditions which produce near-stoichiometric Si3N4 films over a wide range of deposition pressures. We demonstrated that both low compressive stress and even tensile stress can be achieved at the proper deposition conditions. The film stresses as a function of deposition pressure or N2/Ar gas flow ratio are explained in the context of previously developed peening models.
Development, Implementation and Evaluation of an M3 Community Health Curriculum

Objectives: This paper describes the development, implementation and evaluation of an M3 community health curriculum that responds to recent changes within the health care finance and delivery system. Methods: The new curriculum was developed based on AAMC recommendations, LCME requirements, a national review of undergraduate community health curricula, and an internal review of the integration of community health concepts in M3 clerkships. Results: The M3 curriculum teaches: 1) the importance of being a community responsive physician; 2) SES factors that influence health; 3) cultural competency; and 4) the role of physicians as health educators. Student evaluations for the first twelve months of implementation indicate that students are most satisfied with presentations and less satisfied with required readings and a patient interview project. Discussion: Most students agree that at the completion of the course they understand what it means to be a community-responsive physician, and they have developed skills to help them become more community responsive. Evaluation tools need to be developed to assess if students’ behavior has changed due to course participation. Keywords: undergraduate medical education; community health curriculum; community responsive physician
The Entry of International CPA Firms into Emerging Markets: Motivational Factors and Growth Strategies

Abstract This article examines the entry of professional service firms, specifically the Big Six international accounting firms, into emerging foreign markets and explores how they develop and expand their business once established in those markets. The study is based on survey data (supplied by the Big Six) regarding their penetration of the People's Republic of China, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and Central Europe. A conceptual model is employed to illustrate the interrelationship between a firm's specific characteristics, the foreign environment, and foreign subsidiary intrafirm structure. Growth potential, client needs, favorable political/legal climate, and cultural considerations emerged as important factors in determining market entry and growth strategies for professional services firms. The research findings broaden our understanding of factors that influence professional services firms' development of pricing and marketing mix strategies. While all firms surveyed offered a full range of services, their marketing mix strategy differed from domestic approaches because of various local constraints on pricing and promotion.
Near-fatal Kearns-Sayre Syndrome A Case Report and Review of Clinical Manifestations

The Kearns-Sayre syndrome is a relatively uncommon condition which occurs in childhood and is characterized by neurologic dysfunction and abnormalities in atrioventricular (AV) conduction. The high mortality rate is directly attrib utable to the cardiovascular manifestations of this syndrome. We report a case, with documentation of a "near-fatal" episode, and review the pertinent clinical features of the syndrome.
Evaluation and Treatment of the Concussed Athlete - Update

Athletes with sports related concussions are increasingly seeking medical care for management and guidance for return to play. This article aims to provide an updated review of the management of youth sports concussions including preseason planning, on the field identification of concussion, clinical management of acute concussion, and discussion of prolonged symptoms including headache.
Electrical characterization of micro-organisms using microfabricated devices

This article describes the electrical characterization of live and heat-inactivated micro-organisms within microstructures. Electrophoretic movement of live and heat-inactivated Listeria innocua on interdigitated fingered electrodes confirmed the presence of negative charges on the live micro-organisms and demonstrated positive or neutral charges on the heat-inactivated micro-organisms. A micropore was fabricated in an oxide coated silicon diaphragm, which was placed between two chambers containing ionic buffer solutions. When the micro-organism electrophoretically traversed the pore, the background ionic current was blocked and a decrease in the current was observed. As an initial test case, negatively charged polystyrene beads, which were 2.38 μm in diameter, were electrophoretically driven across the pore. Then, Listeria innocua, suspended in tris-glycine buffer, were also moved through the pore and their electrophoretic mobility was determined. In addition, the values of mobility of the micro-organism...
Socio-cultural determinants of meal size and frequency

Total energy intake and the frequency and size of meals are profoundly influenced by the socio-cultural context in which it occurs. Simply eating with one other person increases the average amount ingested in meals by 44% and with more people present the average meal size grows even larger. The impact of social facilitation of energy intake on the individual appears to result from genetic effects both on the individuals' sensitivity to the presence of other people and also on the number of other people an individual tends to eat with. Culture markedly affects the choice of foods in the diet and the pattern of meals over the day. However, many of the social, psychological and physical variables that influence intake are similar across cultures.
Presence in teaching

This article articulates a theory of ‘presence’ in teaching and seeks to establish a theoretical foundation for presence that can serve as a platform for further research. It seeks to address the current educational climate that sees teaching as a check list of behaviors, dispositions, measures, and standards, and to articulate the essential but elusive aspect of teaching we call presence. Presence is defined as a state of alert awareness, receptivity, and connectedness to the mental, emotional, and physical workings of both the individual and the group in the context of their learning enviroments, and the ability to respond with a considered and compassionate best next step. The article is divided into four sections and explores existing conceptions of presence: presence as self-awareness, presence as connection to students, and presence as connection to subject matter and pedagogical knowledge. Within each section the role that context plays in a teacher’s ability to be present is also explored. The authors draw upon papers and stories from student teachers, interview data from children and experienced teachers, and stories from a study group of experienced educators that explored the notion of presence on three different occasions. They conclude by connecting presence to the essential purpose of teaching and learning, the creation of a democratic society.
Shear Strength of a Lightweight Self-Consolidating Concrete Bridge Girder

Lightweight self-consolidating concrete (LWSCC) is advantageous in the bridge industry because members made with this material have a significantly lower self-weight, and in its fresh state, LWSCC has a low viscosity which eliminates the need for vibration during fabrication. A composite section was fabricated with a single precast bulb-tee LWSCC beam and a lightweight concrete cast-in-place deck. A simply supported test configuration was constructed with two point loads to quantify the web-shear strength of the girder. The experimental shear strength is compared to four analytical models from different AASHTO specifications. Based on the results of this limited study, the theoretical predictions for the web-shear strength of this girder were all conservative when compared to the experimentally measured failure strength. With these results in mind, further research is recommended on the use of LWSCC girders in the bridge industry to better understand the material properties, structural properties, and cos...
Measuring Inequality through the Strength of Inheritance

Can we measure and explain the degree of social inequality in societies simply by measuring, as these papers seek to do, the association between the status or wealth of parents and children? Why would we not measure inequality more directly as the Gini coefficient or the variance of log wealth? The purpose of this comment is to suggest that while the link between parents’ and children’s wealth or status is an important and easily measured determinant of inequality, it will not completely measure inequality or tell us fully about longrun social mobility. Some things about early societies are easy to measure, some very difficult. In societies with labor markets, for example, the material livings standard of the common person is inferable from a few individual wage observations (Clark 2007: 48–49). However, measuring inequality is difficult. Inequality is about variance as opposed to means, and estimating variance requires much more information. The papers of this special section employ a simple alternative measure, b, intended both to parsimoniously estimate early inequality and to document and explain significant increases in inequality with settled agriculture. The reasoning is as follows. Suppose that we measure the logarithm of the wealth of parents relative to average wealth by y0 and that of children by y1. Then, we can estimate with modest amounts of data the parameter b that connects these two measures in the expression
Arres: computer assisted post anesthesia care unit monitoring system

A prototype system is being designed to provide advance warning of adverse respiratory and circulatory conditions in postanesthesia patients. The system is designed to minimize artifacts in the database, validate data for epidemiologic studies, and identify variables that predict adverse events through the application of artificial intelligence techniques and statistical models. The system is of modular design. The modules include the patient database, statistical model, interface to monitoring devices, rules for evaluating the monitor data, clinical knowledge, and advice. >