cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Case 59: Acinar Cell Cystadenoma

50-year-old woman presented with right upper quadrant pain. A multiloculated cystic lesion was found in the head of the pancreas on CT and MRI.
Hydrogen Sulfide Sensing through Reactive Sulfur Species (RSS) and Nitroxyl (HNO) in Enterococcus faecalis

Recent studies of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) signaling implicate low molecular weight (LMW) thiol persulfides and other reactive sulfur species (RSS) as signaling effectors. Here, we show that a CstR protein from the human pathogen Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), previously identified in Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), is an RSS-sensing repressor that transcriptionally regulates a cst-like operon in response to both exogenous sulfide stress and Angeli’s salt, a precursor of nitroxyl (HNO). E. faecalis CstR reacts with coenzyme A persulfide (CoASSH) to form interprotomer disulfide and trisulfide bridges between C32 and C61′, which negatively regulate DNA binding to a consensus CstR DNA operator. A ΔcstR strain exhibits deficiency in catheter colonization in a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) mouse model, suggesting sulfide regulation and homeostasis is critical for pathogenicity. Cellular polysulfide metabolite profiling of sodium sulfide-stressed E. faecalis confirms an increase in ...
Jasmonates in Plant Defense Responses

Plants constantly interact with a wide range of life-threatening organisms including herbivorous arthropods and pathogenic microbes. The plant fatty acid–derived jasmonates produced in response to biotic stresses are essential to survival. These oxylipins constitute part of the plant’s sophisticated strategy to defend itself. Upon biotic attack, the increased accumulation of these metabolites diverts energy away from growth needs and channels it toward defense. The complex interplay between jasmonates and invader-specific elicitors provides the plant with gene expression regulatory potential to launch effective responses against the invaders. Such responses can be either direct, by producing molecules that are toxic to the invading organisms, or indirect, by attracting the natural enemies of such invaders. Jasmonates are also critical components in mediating the plant stress-induced systemic signal(s) to activate defense-related genes. The availability of jasmonate mutants has been crucial in identifying the roles these metabolites play in plant stress responses. In this chapter, we present an overview of jasmonate function in insect and pathogen defense, the cross talk between jasmonates and other phytohormones in fine-tuning such defenses, and the possible role these oxylipins play in mediating mechanoresponses.
Use of nonionic ethylene oxide surfactants as phase-transfer catalysts for poly(acrylic acid) adsorption to silica against an electrostatic repulsion

Using a combination of optical reflectometry, atomic force microscopy, and streaming current measurements, we show that complexation with nonionic ethoxylated surfactants enables poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) to adsorb to negatively charged silica surfaces despite its unfavorable electrostatic interaction with the surface. In the absence of surfactant, PAA does not adsorb to silica to any extent that is measurable by our methods. We used optical reflectometry to measure the adsorption isotherm for t-octyl-phenoxypolyethoxyethanol (Triton X-100) surfactants on silica. When PAA is added to the surfactant solution, optical reflectometry reveals a significant enhancement of the total adsorbed mass below the surfactant critical micelle concentration. Atomic force microscopy confirms the presence of PAA in the mixed adsorbed layer. At lower surfactant concentrations, the presence of PAA in the adsorbed layer is manifested in the form of long-range bridging adhesion between opposing surfaces. Removing surfactant by thoroughly rinsing the mixed layer leaves an irreversibly adsorbed, “deposited” PAA layer. The force between silica surfaces that display the deposited PAA layers is dominated by a double-exponential repulsion that is of considerably longer range than the electrostatic double-layer repulsion, indicating a steric interaction between extended PAA chains. Streaming current measurements show that the magnitude of the ζ potential is less after rinsing a mixed adsorbed layer than it was before adsorption. This further supports the occurrence of surfactant-mediated deposition of PAA layers on silica. Our results suggest intriguing applications for surfactants as phase-transfer catalysts for polymers in surface-modification processes, enabling the attainment of single-component adsorbed polymer states that are inaccessible from single-component polymer solutions.
Phase-field modeling of hydraulic fracture

Abstract In this work a theoretical framework implementing the phase-field approach to fracture is used to couple the physics of flow through porous media and cracks with the mechanics of fracture. The main modeling challenge addressed in this work, which is a challenge for all diffuse crack representations, is on how to allow for the flow of fluid and the action of fluid pressure on the aggregate within the diffuse damage zone of the cracks. The theory is constructed by presenting the general physical balance laws and conducting a consistent thermodynamic analysis to constrain the constitutive relationships. Constitutive equations that reproduce the desired responses at the various limits of the phase-field parameter are proposed in order to capture Darcy-type flow in the intact porous medium and Stokes-type flow within open cracks. A finite element formulation for the solution of the governing model equations is presented and discussed. Finally, the theoretical and numerical model is shown to compare favorably to several important analytical solutions. More complex and interesting calculations are also presented to illustrate some of the advantageous features of the approach.
Fast Fourier transforms of piecewise polynomials

Abstract We introduce an efficient algorithm for evaluating the Fourier transform of piecewise-polynomial data on d-dimensional simplices in D-dimensional Euclidean space R D . It generalizes butterfly algorithms for pointwise ( d = 0 ) nonuniform fast Fourier transforms, with new dimensional recurrences for exponential-polynomial moments. Error analysis and numerical comparisons with direct evaluation validate the efficiency and accuracy of the algorithm.
Large-eddy simulation of turbulent flow over spanwise-offset barchan dunes: Interdune vortex stretching drives asymmetric erosion

The coupling between turbulent flow physics and barchan dune geometry is important to dune migration, morphology of individual dunes, and the morphodynamics of merging and separating proximal dunes. Large-eddy simulation was used to model turbulent, inertial-dominated flow over a series of static barchan dune configurations. The dune configurations were carefully designed to capture realistic stages of a so-called ``offset interaction,'' wherein a small dune is placed upflow of a relatively larger dune, thereby guaranteeing interaction since the former migrates faster than the latter. Moreover, as interaction proceeds, the morphology of the small dune is mostly preserved, while the large dune undergoes dramatic transformation with greater erosion downflow of the interdune space. Simulations reveal that the wake centerline---determined here as the spanwise location at which the momentum deficit associated with each dune exhibits a minimum---veers due to dune geometry. Visualization of vortex identifiers reveals that hairpin vortices are produced via separation across the crestline of dunes, and these hairpins are advected downflow by the prevailing, background flow. The legs of hairpins emanating from the upflow dune contain streamwise vorticity of opposite sign, wherein the hairpin leg within the interdune space exhibits positive streamwise vorticity. This positive streamwise vorticity is supplied to the interdune space, where flow channeling induces acceleration of streamwise velocity. An assessment of right-hand side terms of the Reynolds-averaged streamwise vorticity transport equation confirm, indeed, that vortex stretching is the dominant contributor to sustenance of streamwise vorticity. With this, we can conclude that asymmetry of the large, downflow dune is a consequence of scour due to the interdune roller, and scouring intensifies as the spacing between dunes decreases. A structural model outlining this process is presented.
Are backwards-infinite causal sequences possible?

Book Reviews: Alexander R. Pruss, Infinity, Causation, and Paradox, Oxford University Press, 2018, 224 pages, Print ISBN-13: 9780198810339. DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780198810339.001.0001
Discrete microwave absorption lines in YBa2Cu3O7−δ single crystals

Abstract Discrete microwave absorption lines in YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ single crystals are analyzed as a function of microwave power, temperature and prior exposure to higher fields. The intensity of the low field lines shows critical dependence on the microwave power and temperature. The lines broaden and saturate with increasing microwave power. No broadening is observed at higher temperatures, but only a decrease in intensity. Exposure of the sample to progressively higher fields initially introduces a shift in the position of the lines dependent on the direction of the field scan, and then vanishing of the signal.
Growth of Holstein Dairy Heifers in the United States

Data were collected on the heart girth (n = 8,565; a measure of body weight) and height at withers (n = 8,568) of Holstein dairy heifers from 659 dairy farms as part of the National Dairy Heifer Evaluation Project during 1991 and 1992. Means and standard deviations for weight and height were determined for ages .5 to 23.5 mo. Third-order polynomial regression equations were derived to study the relationship of weight and height to age. Stepwise mixed-model regression, using REML estimation, was used to identify factors associated with Holstein heifer growth and to build a multivariate model describing Holstein heifer growth across the United States. Holstein heifers on the sample of dairy farms in this study were heavier and taller at the withers than standards published 30 to 50 yr ago. Increased rolling herd average milk production was associated with a greater rate of growth in Holstein heifers. Holstein heifers in the West and Midwest were larger at a given age than those in the Northeast and Southeast.
Measuring early lesion growth in boys with cerebral demyelinating adrenoleukodystrophy.

An estimated two-thirds of boys with adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) will develop cerebral ALD lesions during their lifetime, with the most concentrated period occurring in the first decade (figure).1,2 Although the pathogenic triggers and risk factors responsible for the genesis of these inflammatory demyelinating lesions remain poorly characterized, the lesions themselves are fairly stereotyped in their anatomical origins, histologic features, and general trajectory.
Lessons Learned From a Multidisciplinary Randomized Controlled Trial

This article discusses some of the lessons that our multidisciplinary team (spanning Economics, Education, Psychology, and Sociology) learned from implementing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) t...
Genomic tagging of endogenous human ESCRT-I complex preserves ESCRT-mediated membrane-remodeling functions

The endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) machinery drives membrane scission for diverse cellular functions that require budding away from the cytosol, including cell division and transmembrane receptor trafficking and degradation. The ESCRT machinery is also hijacked by retroviruses, such as HIV-1, to release virions from infected cells. The crucial roles of the ESCRTs in cellular physiology and viral disease make it imperative to understand the membrane scission mechanism. Current methodological limitations, namely artifacts caused by overexpression of ESCRT subunits, obstruct our understanding of the spatiotemporal organization of the endogenous human ESCRT machinery. Here, we used CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in to tag the critical ESCRT-I component tumor susceptibility 101 (Tsg101) with GFP at its native locus in two widely used human cell types, HeLa epithelial cells and Jurkat T cells. We validated this approach by assessing the function of these knock-in cell lines in cytokinesis, receptor degradation, and virus budding. Using this probe, we measured the incorporation of endogenous Tsg101 in released HIV-1 particles, supporting the notion that the ESCRT machinery initiates virus abscission by scaffolding early-acting ESCRT-I within the head of the budding virus. We anticipate that these validated cell lines will be a valuable tool for interrogating dynamics of the native human ESCRT machinery.
A Comparison of MLA Techniques for Classification of Network Bandwidth Loss

This paper compares the performance and accuracy of four machine learning algorithms in classifying four characteristic phenomena in wireless signal use: decreases in bandwidth due to signal over-saturation, signal improvement due to a device moving closer to a wireless signal, signal attenuation due to increasing distance, and congestion caused by competition with high intensity cross-traffic on a switch. With large enough data samples, an SVM with a moderately high C parameter yielded the smallest 95% confidence intervals when compared to the other machine learning algorithms. This indicates that machine learning techniques can be used for such applications as congestion-control.
Probabilistic Assessment of Storage Tanks Subjected to Waterborne Debris Impacts during Storm Events

Abstract Probabilistic models to evaluate the vulnerability of aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) subjected to waterborne debris impacts during storm surge events are currently lacking, despite evide...
Photosynthetic responses to light variation in rainforest species : II. Carbon gain and photosynthetic efficiency during lightflecks.

The dependence of net carbon gain during lightflecks (artificial sunflecks) on leaf induction state, lightfleck duration, lightfleck photosynthetic photon flux density (PFD), and the previous light environment were investigated in A. macrorrhiza and T. australis, two Australian rainforest species. The photosynthetic efficiency during lightflecks was also investigated by comparing observed values of carbon gain with predicted values based on steady-state CO2 assimilation rates. In both species, carbon gain and photosynthetic efficiency increased during a series of five 30-or 60-s lightflecks that followed a long period of low light; efficiency was linearly related to leaf induction state.In fully-induced leaves of both species, efficiency decreased and carbon gain increased with lightfleck duration. Low-light grown A. macrorrhiza had greater efficiency than predicted based on steady-state rates (above 100%) for lightflecks less than 40 s long, whereas leaves grown in high light had efficiencies exceeding 100% only during 5-s lightflecks. The efficiency of leaves of T. australis ranged from 58% for 40-s lightflecks to 96% for 5-s lightflecks.In low-light grown leaves of A. macrorrhiza, photosynthetic responses to lightflecks below 120 μmol m-2 s-1 were not affected significantly by the previous light level. However, during lightflecks at 530 μmol m-2 s-1, net carbon gain and photosynthetic efficiency of leaves previously exposed to low light levels were significantly reduced relative to those of leaves previously exposed to 120 and 530 μmol m-2 s-1.These results indicate that, in shade-tolerant species, net carbon gain during sunflecks can be enhanced over values predicted from steady-state CO2 assimilation rates. The degree of enhancement, if any, will depend on sunfleck duration, previous light environment, and sunfleck PFD. In forest understory environments, the temporal pattern of light distribution may have far greater consequences for leaf carbon gain than the total integrated PFD.
Knee Arthroplasty with Prior Ligamentous Knee Surgery: A Matched Case-Control Study.

We aimed to evaluate the timing, operative details, and outcomes of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients with prior ligamentous knee surgery (LKS). All consecutive patients undergoing TKA with prior LKS at a single institution were identified from a large prospectively collected database. Patients were matched on a 2:1 basis according to age, sex, and body mass index to a group of patients without previous LKS undergoing primary TKA. A total of 39 patients with prior LKS and a mean age of 55.6 years (range: 42.8-76.4) were identified and matched with 78 patients without LKS with a mean age of 57.6 years (range: 44.0-79.4) undergoing primary TKA (p = 0.24). Significantly more posterior stabilized implants were used in patients with LKS compared with control patients (29 [74.3%] vs. 27 [34.6%], p < 0.001). In the LKS group, 15 patients (38.4%) required hardware removal. Postoperative complications and rate of further surgery were greater in the LCS group, but the difference was not significant (10.6 vs. 6.4%, p = 0.25). Mean difference in pre- to postoperative knee flexion and clinical outcome scores (12-item Short Form Survey, International Knee Documentation Committee, and Oxford Knee Score) were similar between the two groups, with no cases of loosening or osteolysis. TKA with prior LKS often warranted hardware removal and generally more constrained implants. Those patients with prior LKS undergoing subsequent TKA have higher complication rates and an increased rate of subsequent surgery related to post-TKA stiffness.
Against Medical Advice Discharges in Injection and Non-injection Drug Use-associated Infective Endocarditis: A Nationwide Cohort Study

BACKGROUND Among those with injection drug use-associated infective endocarditis (IDU-IE), against medical advice (AMA) discharge is common and linked to adverse outcomes. Understanding trends, risk factors, and timing is needed to reduce IDU-IE AMA discharges. METHODS We identified individuals ages 18-64 with International Classification of Diseases, 9thRevision, diagnosis codes for infective endocarditis (IE) in the National Inpatient Sample, a representative sample of United States hospitalizations from January 2010 to September 2015. We plotted unadjusted quarter-year trends for AMA discharges and used multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with AMA discharge among IE hospitalizations, comparing IDU-IE with non-IDU-IE. RESULTS We identified 7259 IDU-IE and 23 633 non-IDU-IE hospitalizations. Of these hospitalizations, 14.2% of IDU-IE and 1.9% of non-IDU-IE resulted in AMA discharges. More than 30% of AMA discharges for both groups occurred before hospital day 3. In adjusted models, IDU status (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 3.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.43-4.48)] was associated with increased odds of AMA discharge. Among IDU-IE, women (AOR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.04-1.41) and Hispanics (AOR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.03-1.69) had increased odds of AMA discharge, which differed from non-IDU-IE. Over nearly 6 years, odds of AMA discharge increased 12% per year for IDU-IE (AOR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.07-1.18) and 6% per year for non-IDU-IE (AOR, 1.06; 95% CI. 1.00-1.13). CONCLUSIONS AMA discharges have risen among individuals with IDU-IE and non-IDE-IE. Among those who inject drugs, AMA discharges were more common and increases sharper. Efforts that address the rising fraction, disparities, and timing of IDU-IE AMA discharges are needed.
Professional Skills and Work Ethics of Selected Faculty in a Local College

Professionalism and ethicality in the institution are fundamental in running an organization. It aims to assess the professional skills and work ethics of some selected faculty of a local college in Central Luzon. A descriptive-correlational design was used, and we also used a convenience sampling technique in this study. A self-made questionnaire was made which focuses on the two major aspects of the research the professional skills with seven indicators and the work ethics with five indicators. After the survey, the data were subjected to statistical treatment using SPSS 20 and the following results were got: the respondent was a College of Education Arts and Sciences (CEAS) instructor, aged between 36 years old and above, female, single, with MA/MS units, with teaching experience of 1-5 years and a Roman Catholic by belief. For professional skills and work ethics, the respondents were Very Good in all the indicators. There were no significant differences in the professional skills of the respondents when grouped according to the demographic profile, however, with work ethics, there were significant findings in terms of sex and college. A relationship exists between professional skills and the work ethics of the respondents. We observed the same between work ethics, sex, and college. Based on the results of the study, recommendations were given and proposed.
Augmented reality in patient education and health literacy: a scoping review protocol.

Background Health literacy enables the patients in understanding the basic healthcare information and taking informed health decisions; thus, it is a desirable goal of any healthcare system. It increases patients’ adherence to treatment, improves the quality of care and eases the overall burden on the healthcare system. In recent years, technological solutions are being increasingly used in educating patients and achieving better health literacy. Augmented reality (AR) provides powerful, contextual and situated learning experiences and supplements the real world with virtual objects. AR could potentially be an effective learning methodology for the patients, thus, warranting a comprehensive overview of the current state of AR in patient education and health literacy. Methods The proposed scoping review will be based on the framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley, including the refinements suggested by Levac et al. A systematic search for references in the published literature will be conducted in nine research databases—Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PubMed, PsycInfo, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and Association for Information Systems eLibrary (AISeL). The unpublished studies from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, Conference Proceedings Citation Index and grey literature references obtained from a web search will also be included. Databases will be searched from inception to 14 January 2020. Two independent reviewers will screen the studies from the search results in two successive stages of title/abstract screening followed by full-text screening. Data variables will be extracted from the selected studies to characterise study design, type of AR technology employed and the relational factors affecting patient education. Lastly, key stakeholders will be consulted to gather their insights about the study findings. Ethics and dissemination The results will be disseminated through stakeholder meetings and conference presentations. The data used are from publicly available secondary sources, so this study does not require ethical review.
La transnacionalización de la producción agricola: palincesto del estado transnacional

This paper explores theoretically the emergence of the transnational State. Based on the historical experience of the emergence of the state at the national level fulfilling four major functions - accumulation, legitimation, mediation of inter- and intra-class conflict - and social reproduction, and utilizing empirical research in an agricultural commodity, frozen concentrated orange juice, the paper argues that the increased significance of transnational corporations requires the emergence of a state apparatus beyond the level of the nation. The paper suggests ways and means of looking for such an emergence. La transnacionalizacion de la produccion agricola: palincesto del estado transnacional Resumen ?Este articulo explora, en lo teorico, el surgimiento del Estado transnacional. Parte de la experiencia historica del Estadoa nivel nacional el cual cumple cuatro funciones principales: acumulacion, legitimacion, mediacion en los conflictos intra e inter-clase, y reproduccion social-, asi como, de la utilizacion de los resultados de una investigacion empirica sobre un producto agricola: el jugo de naranja concentrado. Se argumenta que la creciente importancia de las corporaciones transnacionales requieren de un aparato de Estado que traspase las fronteras de la nacion. En este sentido, el presente trabajo sugiere formas y medios de abordar este fenomeno.
Sensitivity and Computational Complexity in Financial Networks

Determining the causes of instability and contagion in financial networks is necessary to inform policy and avoid future financial collapse. In the American Economic Review, Elliott, Golub and Jackson proposed a simple model for capturing the dynamics of complex financial networks. In Elliott, Golub and Jackson’s model, the institutions in the network are connected by linear dependencies (cross-holdings) and if any institution’s value drops below a critical threshold, its value suffers an additional failure cost. This work shows that even in this simple model there are fundamental barriers to understanding the risks that are inherent in a network. First, if institutions are not required to maintain a minimum amount of self-holdings, any change in investments by a single institution can have an arbitrarily magnified influence on the net worth of the institutions in the system. This implies that if institutions have small selfholdings, then estimating the market value of an institution requires almost perfect information about every cross-holding in the system. Second, even if a regulator has complete information about all cross-holdings in the system, it may be computationally intractable to estimate the number of failures that could be caused by a small shock to the system.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

The thoracic outlet syndrome is a term generally descriptive of a number of compressive neurovascular disturbances involving the shoulder girdle area. The resultant disturbance may be severe but, at the same time, respond in a reasonable manner to therapy. The various etiologic factors often apply to each individual type and will be listed together, but the clinical findings will be discussed separately. These will be described individually under the titles: (1) Scalenus anterior and cervical rib syndrome; (2) Costo-clavicular syndrome; (3) Hyperabduction syndrome. The manifestations result from a combination of arterial and venous obstruction and a peripheral neuropathy, with any one or two of the elements predominating.
A technique for the reduction of RF-induced heating of active implantable medical devices during MRI.

Purpose The paper presents a novel method to reduce the RF-induced heating of active implantable medical devices during MRI. Methods With the addition of an energy decoying and dissipating structure, RF energy can be redirected toward the dissipating rings through the decoying conductor. Three lead groups (45 cm-50 cm) and 4 (50 cm-100 cm) were studied in 1.5 Tesla MR systems by simulation and measurement, respectively. In vivo modeling was performed using human models to estimate the RF-induced heating of an active implantable medical device for spinal cord treatment. Result In the simulation study, it was shown that the peak 1g-averaged specific absorption rate near the lead-tips can be reduced by 70% to 80% compared to those from the control leads. In the experimental measurements during a 2-min exposure test in a 1.5 Telsa MR system, the temperature rises dropped from the original 18.3℃, 25.8℃, 8.1℃, and 16.1℃ (control leads 1-4) to 5.4℃, 6.9℃, 1.6℃, and 3.3℃ (leads 1-4 with the energy decoying and dissipation structure). The in vivo calculation results show that the maximum induced temperature rise among all cases can be substantially reduced (up to 80%) when the energy decoying and dissipating structures were used. Conclusion Our studies confirm the effectiveness of the novel technique for a variety of scanning scenarios. The results also indicate that the decoying conductor length, number of rings, and ring area must be carefully chosen and validated.
My body, my territory: Indigenous women, territoriality, and the rights of cultural minorities

Scholars often frame questions of cultural pluralism as a simple binary: Is the protection of “illiberal cultures” detrimental to the rights of women and other internal minorities within these cult...
Pediatric Issues in Treating Ulcerative Colitis

While the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can occur at any age, approximately 25 % of patients with inflammatory bowel disease will become symptomatic during childhood or adolescence. Clinicians who care for pediatric patients with IBD are faced with certain challenges and responsibilities. Some of the distinct issues, which must be addressed, include growth, skeletal health, and psychosocial development. Such issues may affect the choice and the ultimate success of the therapy. In this chapter, we will focus on the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) in this unique patient population.
Man through His art, edited by Mme. Anil de Silva and Professor Otto Von Simson

(1966). Man through His art, edited by Mme. Anil de Silva and Professor Otto Von Simson. The Art Bulletin: Vol. 48, No. 2, pp. 267-267.
Additive prognostic value of coronary artery calcium score and renal function in patients with acute chest pain without known coronary artery disease: up to 5-year follow-up

Long-term incremental prognostic value of renal function over coronary artery calcium score (CACS) in symptomatic patients without known coronary artery disease (CAD) is unclear. The objective of this study was to examine additive prognostic value of renal function over CACS in patients with acute chest pain suspected of CAD. Renal function and CACS were assessed in patients without known CAD who presented to the emergency department with chest pain from 2005 to 2008. Renal function was assessed using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and chronic kidney disease (CKD) was defined as eGFR 400: HR 8.88, p < 0.001) and CKD (HR 10.18, p < 0.001) were independent predictors for MACE. Both adding renal function and CACS significantly improved the overall predictive performance (p < 0.001 for global Chi square increase) from Framingham risk categories or thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk score. Both CACS and renal function were independent predictors for future cardiac events and provided additive prognostic value to each other and over either Framingham risk categories or TIMI risk score.
Computational Analysis and Experimental Validation of Tumor-associated Alternative RNA Splicing in Human Cancer

A genome-wide computational screen was performed to identify tumor-associated alternative RNA splicing isoforms. A BLAST algorithm was used to compare 11,014 genes from RefSeq with 3,471,822 human expressed sequence tag sequences. The screen identified 26,258 alternative splicing isoforms of which 845 were significantly associated with human cancer, and 54 were specifically associated with liver cancer. Furthermore, canonical GT-AG splice junctions were used significantly less frequently in the alternative splicing isoforms in tumors. Reverse transcription-PCR experiments confirmed association of the alternative splicing isoforms with tumors. These results suggest that alternative splicing may have potential as a diagnostic marker for cancer.
Using Portfolios to Fulfill ISTE/NCATE Technology Requirements for Preservice Teacher Candidates

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has developed computer/technology guidelines for all teachers. These were approved by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) as a part of the requirements for those seeking teacher certification in computer literacy, computer science education, and those seeking MA degrees in educational computing and technology. In addition, NCATE's new Unit Accreditation guidelines require integration of technology into teacher education programs. For most teacher education programs, these gUidelines are welcome and will serve as a catalyst for preparing teacher candidates to be technologically competent. However, many teacher education programs cannot add additional courses to their curriculum. One way to overcome this obstacle is to require the infusion of technology across the teacher education curriculum and use portfolios to evaluate the success of teacher candidates in fulfilling the ISTE/NCATE guidelines. This article describes the successful implementation of a technology portfolio process and suggests activities to include in such a portfolio.
An Energy-Efficient Wireless Video Sensor Node for Moving Object Surveillance

In a wireless video sensor system, encoder and transmitter parameters should be jointly adjusted for the optimal tradeoff between video quality and energy consumption under variable channel conditions. The optimization of the system can be further enhanced by exploiting relative importance of moving objects in remote surveillance applications. This paper presents an energy-efficient wireless video sensor node for remote surveillance using content-aware pre-processing and an energy- and content-aware feedback control scheme. A low-overhead pre-processing engine detects the region of interest (ROI) in a frame defined as the macroblocks with moving objects, and an encoder selectively processes ROI macroblocks, resulting in reduction of both computation and transmission energy with minimum quality degradation of the ROI. We also propose an energy- and content-aware control scheme that jointly tunes the system parameters to maintain target transmission energy with minimum degradation of the ROI quality under varying wireless channel conditions. Compared to conventional encoding approaches, the proposed design consumes up to 56 percent less energy at the same quality.
No Place to Rest: African American Political Attitudes and the Myth of Black Women's Strength

Abstract In recent years, feminist scholars and black popular culture have turned a critical eye on the myth of the “strong black woman,” revealing negative health and psychological consequences for African American women who try to fulfill the superhuman image. This study is the first to bring empirical evidence to bear on this question of the political effects of the myth. Using data collected in the 1999 Chicago African American Attitudes Study, this article addresses the political consequences of the myth of the strong black woman, specifically asking: How is the myth of the strong black woman understood among African Americans and how does the idea that black women are endowed with a natural, superhuman capacity to overcome obstacles affect black political attitudes?
The nurse's role in pediatric injury prevention

Nurses can play a major role in injury prevention. Nurses are, by nature, educators and role models to their families, patients, and communities. Knowing the magnitude and impact of injuries on both children and their families, nurses must become more informed about the necessity of injury prevention. They must also help to initiate and develop prevention strategies that will decrease the number and severity of these injuries. There is a connection between clinical work and advocacy. Nurses see the pain and problems created by injuries. They can become effective advocates for injury prevention because the strongest advocacy is created by those closest to the problem and most aware of what is needed. Nurses need to become involved in identifying unsafe products and environments and testifying before regulatory and legislative bodies for safety-related design changes. Nurses need to continue to develop their professional influence by using a multidisciplinary approach to injury prevention. This approach should include health professionals and representatives from the community, the legal profession, law enforcement, regulatory agencies, and both engineers and manufacturers. Language: en
Digest: Vargas v. City of Salinas

(1) Whether the protections of a motion-to-strike provided in California’s anti-SLAPP (“Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation”) statute are available to a public entity or its officials. (2) Whether the Court of Appeal for the Sixth District correctly concluded that the “express advocacy” standard from section 54964 of the California Civil Code, rather than the standard laid out in Stanson v. Mott, controlled the distinction between activities which presumptively may and those which presumptively may not be paid for by public funds. (3) Whether, under the correct standard, the trial court’s decision to grant the City of Salinas’ anti-SLAPP motion to strike was proper.
Effects of acclimation salinity on sodium fluxes in the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus)

Abstract Blue crabs were acclimated under laboratory conditions to artificial seawater media ranging from 0 to 908 mOsm/l. A significant direct correlation existed between hemolymph Na+ concentration and salinity of the acclimation medium. The crabs strongly regulated hemolymph Na+ concentrations in dilute media. Rates of unidirectional Na+ influx and combined flux (influx and efflux) also exhibited a significant positive correlation with acclimation salinity. Apparently, blue crabs tolerate rapid bidirectional exchanges of Na+ across the body surface when they osmoconfonn in high salinity environments, but dramatically limit such movements during hyperosmoregulation in dilute media.
Examining Culture within a Quantitative Empirical Research Framework

This paper raises the question of how to best capture dynamic cultural processes in empirical research related to ethnic minority children and youth''s mental health. Three constructs, acculturation,
Hypoxia-inducible factors in stem cells and cancer.

• Introduction • From metabolic adaptation to stem cell signalling • HIF-1α regulates Notch effects on cellular differentiation • Stem cell pluripotency requires HIF target gene function • O2 regulation of Wnt signalling is differentiation-stage specific • HIFs, stem cell pathways and disease • HIF and cMyc • HIF and p53 Cellular properties are influenced by complex factors inherent to their microenvironments. While oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) occurs in tumours because of rapid cell proliferation and aberrant blood vessel formation, embryonic cells develop in a naturally occurring hypoxic environment. Cells respond to hypoxia by stabilizing hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), which are traditionally viewed to function by altering cellular metabolism and blood vessel architecture. Recently, HIFs have been shown to modulate specific stem cell effectors, such as Notch, Wnt and Oct4 that control stem cell proliferation, differentiation and pluripotency. Direct molecular links have also been established between HIFs and critical cell signalling pathways such as cMyc and p53. These novel links suggest a new role for HIFs in stem cell and tumour regulation.
Elevated peptides in lung lavage fluid associated with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome.

Objective The objective of this discovery-level investigation was to use mass spectrometry to identify low mass compounds in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from lung transplant recipients that associate with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. Experimental design Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples from lung transplant recipients were evaluated for small molecules using ESI-TOF mass spectrometry and correlated to the development of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. Peptides associated with samples from persons with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome and controls were identified separately by MS/MS analysis. Results The average bronchoalveolar lavage fluid MS spectrum profile of individuals that developed bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome differed greatly compared to controls. Controls demonstrated close inter-sample correlation (R = 0.97+/-0.02, average+/-SD) while bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome showed greater heterogeneity (R = 0.86+/-0.09, average+/-SD). We identified 89 features that were predictive of developing BOS grade 1 and 66 features predictive of developing BOS grade 2 or higher. Fractions from MS analysis were pooled and evaluated for peptide content. Nearly 10-fold more peptides were found in bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome relative to controls. C-terminal residues suggested trypsin-like specificity among controls compared to elastase-type enzymes among those with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. Conclusions Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from individuals with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome has an increase in low mass components detected by mass spectrometry. Many of these features were peptides that likely result from elevated neutrophil elastase activity.
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis - In-hospital mortality, predictors of survival, and health care costs from 1988 to 1998

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis—in-hospital mortality, predictors of survival, and health care costs from 1988 to 1998
Web-based hydrodynamics computing

Proteins are long chains of amino acids that have a definite 3-d conformation and the shape of each protein is vital to its function. Since proteins are normally in solution, hydrodynamics (describes the movement of solvent around a protein as a function of shape and size of the molecule) can be used to probe the size and shape of proteins compared to those derived from X-ray crystallography. The computation chain needed for these hydrodynamics calculations consists of several separate programs by different authors on various platforms and often requires 3D visualizations of intermediate results. Due to the complexity, tools developed by a particular research group are not readily available for use by other groups, nor even by the non-experts within the same research group. To alleviate this situation, and to foment the easy and wide distribution of computational tools worldwide, we developed a web based interactive computational environment (WICE) including interactive 3D visualization that can be used with any web browser. Java based technologies were used to provide a platform neutral, user-friendly solution. Java Server Pages (JSP), Java Servlets, Java Beans, JOGL (Java bindings for OpenGL), and Java Web Start were used to create a solution that simplifies the computing chain for the user allowing the user to focus on their scientific research. WICE hides complexity from the user and provides robust and sophisticated visualization through a web browser.
Development and implementation of an Application Programming Interface for PC/DSP based motion control system

This paper presents the results of a low cost, PC-DSP based motion control system development. The Texas Instruments TMS320C31 floating point Digital Signal Processor is selected for the real-time hardware platform while code development and user interface tasks reside on a standard, non real-time PC platform such as the Pentium/Windows 95 systems. An application programming interface has been implemented to facilitate open architecture code development. Finally, application to the control of an Adapt linear robotic workcell is made with 2 input shaper designs serving as the test algorithms.
An analysis technique for biological shape. I

An analysis technique for biological shape based on the concept of bending energy has been developed. The technique permits the calculation of the amount of energy (work) that would have to be expended to form typical biological shapes out of a linear, thin-shelled medium. In addition the development of this analysis procedure provides several new results concerning image processing including a sampling theorem for simply connected closed contours and a fast algorithm for calculation of the bending energy.
Computerized tomography studies of concrete samples

Abstract X-ray computerized tomography (CAT or CT) is a sophisticated imaging technique that provides cross-sectional views of materials, components and assemblies for industrial nondestructive evaluation (NDE). We have studied the feasibility of using CT as an inspection tool for reinforced concrete and the use of multi-energy, linear, attenuation techniques to deduce variations in density (ρ) and/or atomic number (Z) that could be caused by varying the types of concrete mixes and/or compaction in the concrete itself. To perform this study, we designed and built a prototype medium-/high-energy (200- to 2000 keV) CT scanner — ZCAT — to image small concrete samples (± 30 cm in diameter and ± 75 cm in height) with a spatial resolution of about 2 mm. We used ZCAT to quantitatively inspect a 20 cm concrete cube with 1.27 cm diameter reinforcing bars (rebars) and to measure p and/or Z variations in a 20 cm diameter concrete cylinder. We describe the ZCAT scanner design, some of its physical limitations and the data-acquisition parameters used in our study. Our results and those of others [1,2] show that CT can be used to inspect reinforced concrete and to distinguish material p and/or Z variations within concrete.
Multiple outsiderness: Religious, ethnic, and racial diversity in America

The history of Jewish intergroup relations offers us a lens for understanding the history of Jewish integration in America. Intergroup relations, at least as I am using it for this paper, refers (o the political projects, programs, and endeavors undertaken by American Jews in which they have linked their status in the larger society with those of other groups similarly situated. The term itself indicates that one group—in this case, Jews—understands the community in which they live—local or national—as made up of other groups with whom it shares certain commonalties, including a defensive posture toward the majority. The "inter" part of the phrase assumes that the group in question has chosen consciously to make some kind of common cause with those other groups and to link its present and future status with them. The "relations" aspect implies action as opposed to rhetoric, which is only a very specific kind of action. The period in American Jewish history in which American Jewish political behavior was dominated by intergroup relations was in the aftermath of the Holocaust. In that era, intergroup relations involved a broad set of activities pursued by the Jewish "defense" organizations, characterized on the national level by the American Jewish Congress, the American Jewish Committee, B'nai B'rith's Anti-Defamation League and the National Council of Jewish Women. On the local levels, the newly formed chapters of these older organizations had to compete with Jewish community councils, themselves products of the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s as the practitioners of intergroup relations. These organizations, their professional staffs and lay members built bridges to other Americans. They pursued their intergroup agenda in order to defuse the potentially explosive political environment of the Cold War era. The establishment of Jewish intergroup relations, sometimes known as the "human relations" professionals, attempted to build bridges using a massive public-relations campaign. They created and disseminated written, spoken and visual media that emphasized the common interests of all Americans. Through the new medium of television, as well as through radio, film strips, pamphlets, and informational materials, they sought to reach a wide breadth of American audiences. Jewish intergroup relations professionals sought to convince Americans that prejudice against any group harms all, including the perpetrators. They worked with Hollywood, hoping to maximize the number of people who would see, hear, and be moved by their message. They also