cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Working World of the Paladar: The Production of Contradictory Space during Cuba's Period of Fragmentation

Abstract This article examines the social spaces of self-employment in Havana, Cuba, to uncover the deeply conflicting and contradictory values that comprise the dialectics of state–society relations. These spaces and the many actors who traverse them provide important insight into the complexity surrounding contemporary Cuba. Through detailed research into one form of self-employment, paladares (small in-home restaurants), this article examines how paladares have come to reflect the struggle for society and state to mediate the multitude of external and internal pressures amongst the current geopolitical climate. Using interviews conducted during several visits in 1999 and 2000, we demonstrate that paladares do not necessarily represent a capitalist transition. Rather, they embody the struggle to mediate contradictory spaces through the assertion of the self in the discourse of change. *We would like to thank Tom Klak and Eugene McCann as well as the anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments. Also, ...
Laparoscopic jejunostomy using T-fasteners as retractors and anchors

Most feeding or venting gastrostomies can be placed percutaneously via gastroscopy. Laparotomy is required if gastroscopy is not possible—for example, in patients with esophageal strictures or large tumors. We have developed a new technique of laparoscopic gastrostomy, and used it successfully in three patients. The key to this technique is the T-fastener, a nylon suture attached to a metal T-bar, which is introduced via a slotted needle percutaneously and dislodged inside the stomach lumen. Four T-fasteners secure the stomach wall to the anterior abdomen. A balloon catheter gastrostomy tube is then placed over a J-wire through the center of these T-fasteners. This technique requires no gastroscopy or intracorporeal suturing and needs only one port for the laparoscope. It is safe and simple and can be used for patients who require a gastrostomy in whom gastroscopy is not possible or is risky.
Coastal radar observations reveal complex surface circulations

The behavior of nearshore ocean surface currents has important effects on the coastal ecosystem, with the alongshore propagating waves helping transport marine organisms and affecting how nutrients, salt, and heat are distributed. Using a network of 61 high-frequency radar stations off the U.S. West Coast, Kim et al. got a detailed look at the motion of the coastal ocean. They found that there are essentially two distinct sets of poleward propagating waves driving the nearshore flow.
The Artificial and the Natural: An Evolving Polarity

Bernadette Bensaude-Vincent and William R. Newman, editors, The Artificial and the Natural: An Evolving Polarity. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2007. vi + 331 pp. $40.00. ISBN 0-262-02620-1. We use art...
Salmonella in relation to agriculture.

Some of the more extensive programs directed to the control of salmonellosis in domestic animals, which have been conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are identified. These have been singularly successful, insofar as the economics of production is concerned. However, they fall short of meeting the present market demand for food free from all of the 900–1,200 odd serotype species ofSalmonella considered potentially infectious for man. The increasing incidence of salmonellosis in man, and the identification of domestic animals as a major reservoir of various species ofSalmonella, has made it necessary to broaden the objective of existing programs, expand the research effort, and intensify testing schedules in many of the existing regulatory control programs. The activities of a special salmonella task force set up to coordinate research with the needs of the various regulatory agencies specifically concerned are reviewed. Data developed by the Animal Health Division in a market survey of feed and feed ingredients as carriers of salmonella are presented. The more pressing problems and the current programs within other Divisions are discussed, insofar as the findings to date may serve to identify future needs.
A Usability Evaluation of Concentric Rings in Relationship Graphing

A usability evaluation was conducted of a prototype radial graph visualization tool, to better understand whether concentric rings are useful for navigation and comprehension. Nodes represented sales representatives and contacts, and edges represented specific types of relationships. Double-clicking a graph node caused slow-in, slow-out, animated reorganization of the network about that node. Ten sales managers completed tasks ranging from graph comprehension to strategic analysis. Eye tracking was also utilized to address specific usability questions. Tasks were generally completed in 1-3 minutes, but assists revealed significant confusion with relationship concepts and terminology. Specific difficulties were related to filtering the graph and with occlusion of specific nodes. Eye tracking confirmed that concentric rings are used while searching nodes within the same level. Subjective assessments were quite positive. compared with presently-used enterprise sales network analysis tools.
Wide-band tracheids are present in almost all species of Cactaceae

Wide-band tracheids (WBTs) have been found in seedlings of most species of cacti that have fibrous wood in their adult bodies. Consequently, this cell type is now known to be present in almost all cacti. Earlier studies of adult plants revealed WBTs to be present only in cacti with globose or short, broad bodies, whereas all species with large columnar or long slender bodies had fibrous wood without WBTs. However, even these species produce WBTs during the first several months after germination. In species with fibrous wood in their adult bodies (species with large or slender bodies), seedlings undergo a phase transition in wood morphogenesis after a few months and stop producing the juvenile (WBT) wood and begin producing adult (fibrous) wood. If adult plants have an intermediate size, the phase transition is delayed and the plant produces WBT wood for several years. Species with globose bodies repress the phase transition completely and never switch to producing adult (fibrous) wood. Because WBTs are so widespread, they probably originated only once in Cactaceae, not multiple times as suggested earlier, or there may have been just a single origin in the Cactaceae/Portulacaceae clade.
Effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and social context on marijuana self-administration by humans

The effects of time of day and social context on daily patterns of marijuana self-administration were examined in two groups of three adult male marijuana smokers during a 12-day residential study. Days were divided into 6.5-h work and social-access periods. Order of occurrence (i.e., work before social access or social access before work) was counterbalanced between groups and reversed for both groups on day 8. Up to eight marijuana cigarettes (0.0% or 2.3% delta 9-THC) could be smoked each day. Stable patterns of marijuana smoking were observed across days for each subject. Three subjects smoked more marijuana during the social-access period, regardless of when it occurred. The other three smoked more marijuana during the first period, regardless of whether it was a work or social-access period. The number of marijuana cigarettes smoked was unrelated to THC content. In contrast, subjective reports of "High," "Liking," "Potency" and "Drug" on visual-analog scales were increased on active marijuana days. Subjective reports of drug effects were not predictive of drug self-administration.
Magnetization distribution of 180° domain walls at the surface of 3% Si–Fe sheets

Abstract The surface magnetic domain structure of 100 μm thick 3% Si–Fe sheets was imaged by using a scanning electron microscope with polarization analysis (SEMPA) in ultra-high vacuum. Two orthogonal in-plane components of the secondary electron spin polarization were measured to obtain the surface magnetic microstructure. Using a calibration sample, we have determined that our spatial resolution varies between 150 and 250 nm depending on the experimental conditions. The 3% Si–Fe sheets have undergone tertiary recrystallization and have uniaxial anisotropy. At the center, the samples are composed of 180° stripe domains ((1 1 0) texture). High-magnification SEMPA images show that the magnitude of the in-plane magnetization vanishes at the domain walls. The width of the observed domain walls is approximately 400 nm on the same samples. In order to confirm that the magnetization is out-of-plane in the domain walls, SEMPA measurements were performed with the sample tilted around the horizontal axis. It was observed that the out-of-plane component of the magnetization is projected onto the sample plane. With increasing tilt angle, line scans taken from corresponding SEMPA images clearly show that the in-plane component of magnetization at the domain walls increases. This is the first observation of out-of-plane magnetization at a surface domain wall.
Computer observations of cycles in cubic graphs

Abstract We investigate different instances where the available computer-generated empirical evidence concerning certain properties of cycles in cubic graphs either appears to clash with theory or, at best, is counterintuitive. Perhaps the most interesting of these involves a conjecture readily suggested by the data but for which a counterexample has been proved to exist. However, no such counterexample has yet been found.
A multireference many-body perturbation theory study of Be + H2 → BeH2

A multireference many-body perturbation theory (MR-MBPT) is discussed and illustrated by the model problem of the vertical insertion pathways of Be into H2. The results are compared with full CI and previous coupled-cluster results. The comparison of MR-MBPT results reveals good qualitative agreement. It is suggested that a more extensive reference space is necessary even for this small problem in order to achieve quantitative results. The paper discusses the question of orbital choice in MR-MBPT methods.
Genetic Variants in Predicting Aggressive Prostate Cancer: ''Ready for Prime Time?''

The cloning of the human genome,whichwas completed in 2003, ushered in a new era for medicine. It was presumed that everything fromobesity to arthritis to cancerwould be written in our DNA. This was especially true for prostate cancer (PCa). Indeed, since 2006, using data from the entire genome and analyzing PCa risk (ie, genomewide association studies [GWASs]), a total of 76 small variations in our genetic code, called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), have been identified that are associatedwith increased risk for PCa [1]. However, most studies to date have investigated associations between SNPs and incident PCa. As we have learned, not all PCas are equal. Some are indolent tumors never destined to have been detected without the aid of a physician with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and a biopsy gun, whereas others spread quickly and are life threatening. Thus, it is possible that some of these 76 SNPs predict development of an enlarged prostate, which leads to elevated PSA, prompting a biopsy, and may in fact have nothing biologically to do with PCa. Alternatively, some of these 76 SNPs may indeed predict the development of life-threatening PCa. As such, it is crucial to note that few studies examined whether these SNPs can predict aggressive disease with PCa-specific mortality (PCSM). To address this specific matter, in this issue of European Urology, Shui et al. studied whether SNPs shown to predict PCa in GWASs can also predict PCSM among 10 487 PCa cases and 11 024 controls with a median follow-up of 8.3 yr., during which 1053 PCa deaths occurred [2]. To accomplish this, the authors used the Breast and Prostate Cancer Cohort Consortium study—a collaboration of eight cohort studies from Europe, the United States, and
Relationship between antigen-induced immune stimulation and activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in the rat

This study investigates acute (12 h) and long-term (13 days) effects of antigen challenge on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation. Male rats were injected with phosphocholine-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (PC-KLH); immunoglobulin M levels were followed as an indication of lymphocyte stimulation, whereas changes in the activity of the HPA axis were examined by measuring plasma ACTH and corticosterone levels. Our results indicated that a moderate dose of PC-KLH antigen (75 micrograms) yielded a robust anti-PC-KLH antibody response (peaking at days 5-7) in the absence of changes in ACTH and corticosterone secretion. A 3-fold increase in antigen dose (225 micrograms) induced a small increase in corticosterone on day 5 that appeared to correlate with the peak anti-PC-KLH response. In contrast, injection of interleukin-1 beta, lipopolysaccharides, or Newcastle disease virus caused acute increases in ACTH and corticosterone levels. As moderate doses of the antigen, PC-KLH, failed to induce detectable changes in the HPA axis while causing a strong antibody response, our results support the idea that HPA activation is not an obligatory step in the neuroimmune cascade after immune challenge. We conclude that HPA stimulation via immune modulation depends, in part, upon the form and strength of immune challenge. Certain antigen-driven responses may bypass HPA stimulation which could play an important role in B and T lymphocyte immunity to foreign antigens.
Absorber roughness effect in XRL image formation

The effect of absorber sidewall roughness on image formation in proximity X-ray lithography is studied based on simulation of the propagation of X-rays within the absorber and the diffraction of light over a proximity gap. We conclude that the absorber sidewall roughness only causes very small linewidth variation and it has the positive effect of suppressing ghost lines because of the reduction of high frequency components in the input field, which is especially important for opaque features.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Medical technology in Canada, Germany, and the United States: an update

Abstract: Major medical technology is internationally mobile and rapidly diffusing. This study compares the proliferation of six complex medical technologies in Canada and Germany with that in the United States, the traditional high-tech leader. The technologies—open-heart surgery, cardiac catheterization, organ transplantation, radiation therapy, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, and magnetic resonance imaging—are more prevalent in the United States, on a per capita basis, than in the other two countries. This was the case five years ago, too. The differences are large in some cases and small in others. Lithotriptors and imagers are growing annually at double-digit rates in all three countries.
Do patient attributes predict oncologist empathic responses and patient perceptions of empathy

Purpose Most patients with advanced cancer experience negative emotion. When patients express emotions, oncologists rarely respond empathically. Oncologists may respond more empathically to some patients, and patients may perceive different levels of empathy and trust given past documentation of disparities in cancer care.
Using the abbreviated injury severity and Glasgow Coma Scale scores to predict 2-week mortality after traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND:: Prediction of outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains elusive. We tested the use of a single hospital Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) Score, GCS Motor Score, and the Head component of the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) Score to predict 2-week cumulative mortality in a large cohort of TBI patients admitted to the eight U.S. Level I trauma centers in the TBI Clinical Trials Network. METHODS:: Data on 2,808 TBI patients were entered into a centralized database. These TBI patients were categorized as severe (GCS score, 3-8), moderate (9-12), or complicated mild (13-15 with positive computed tomography findings). Intubation and chemical paralysis were recorded. The cumulative incidence of mortality in the first 2 weeks after head injury was calculated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate the magnitude of the risk for 2-week mortality. RESULTS:: Two-week cumulative mortality was independently predicted by GCS, GCS Motor Score, and Head AIS. GCS Severity Category and GCS Motor Score were stronger predictors of 2-week mortality than Head AIS. There was also an independent effect of age ( Language: en
Predicting the effects of amino acid replacements in peptide hormones on their binding affinities for class B GPCRs and application to the design of secretin receptor antagonists

Computational prediction of the effects of residue changes on peptide-protein binding affinities, followed by experimental testing of the top predicted binders, is an efficient strategy for the rational structure-based design of peptide inhibitors. In this study we apply this approach to the discovery of competitive antagonists for the secretin receptor, the prototypical member of class B G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Proteins in this family are involved in peptide hormone-stimulated signaling and are implicated in several human diseases, making them potential therapeutic targets. We first validated our computational method by predicting changes in the binding affinities of several peptides to their cognate class B GPCRs due to alanine replacement and compared the results with previously published experimental values. Overall, the results showed a significant correlation between the predicted and experimental ΔΔG values. Next, we identified candidate inhibitors by applying this method to a homology model of the secretin receptor bound to an N-terminal truncated secretin peptide. Predictions were made for single residue replacements to each of the other nineteen naturally occurring amino acids at peptide residues within the segment binding the receptor N-terminal domain. Amino acid replacements predicted to most enhance receptor binding were then experimentally tested by competition-binding assays. We found two residue changes that improved binding affinities by almost one log unit. Furthermore, a peptide combining both of these favorable modifications resulted in an almost two log unit improvement in binding affinity, demonstrating the approximately additive effect of these changes on binding. In order to further investigate possible physical effects of these residue changes on receptor binding affinity, molecular dynamics simulations were performed on representatives of the successful peptide analogues (namely A17I, G25R, and A17I/G25R) in bound and unbound forms. These simulations suggested that a combination of the α-helical propensity of the unbound peptide and specific interactions between the peptide and the receptor extracellular domain contribute to their higher binding affinities.
Single-Source Chemical Vapor Deposition of SiC Films in a Large-Scale Low-Pressure CVD Growth, Chemical, and Mechanical Characterization Reactor

The development and characterization of a silicon carbide (SiC) deposition process from a single source precursor, 1,3-disilabutane, in a large-scale reactor is described. Deposition was performed simultaneously on fifteen, 4 in. Si wafers in a 4 or 6 in. wafer-capable horizontal low-pressure chemical vapor deposition reactor. Amorphous SiC is obtained at temperatures of 750°C and below, while some polycrystallinity is obtained at temperatures of 800°C and above. Highly uniform and relatively smooth films are realized using a closed wafer boat. A maximum growth rate of 0.45 μm/h is attained at 750°C. Residual stress in the film is characterized and found to be greater than 1.3 GPa (tensile) across a wide range of deposition temperatures. Stress profiling is performed to investigate the stress distribution throughout the films. Microfabrication on the wafer level using SiC as a structural layer is also demonstrated.
1H, 15N, 13C assignments for the activated form of the small Rho-GTPase Rac1.

In cell signaling events, small GTPases are classical on/off switches depending on the nucleotide, GTP or GDP, that is bound; Rac1 and Cdc42 are two of the best studied examples of the Rho-family of proteins which are known to regulate the actin cytoskeleton and are involved with cell motility. While Rac1.GDP assignments are published (Thapar et al., 2003), no NMR assignments have been reported for the active form of Rac1. Rac1, uniformly labeled with 13C and 15N, was loaded with a GTP analogue by nucleotide exchange in presence of excess GMPPNP and alkaline phosphatase. Following gel filtration, heteronuclear NMR experiments were carried out on this active protein at 0.8 mM and 25°C. A mutant C178S, K184Stop was used in physiological buffer (Kremer et al., 2001), with 4 mM DTT and 4 mM MgCl2, at pH 6.8 to improve the quality of spectra. Partially deuterated protein was used in some experiments. Cross peaks for 150 out of 168 possible resonances are observed in 1H–15N HSQC spectra. Backbone assignment was completed for 141 resonances; side-chain carbon assignments for the corresponding residues are nearly complete, e.g. >95% for Cβ. We observe excellent agreement of the secondary structure predicted from the NMR data (based on CSI) with that found in the crystal structure of Rac1.GMPPNP (pdb 1 MH1). Additional materials are given in the online supplements. BMRB deposit number 6970.
Source of Maternal Milk Zinc for Absorption by Suckling Rats

SummaryThese data show that when an adequate diet is provided to the dam during lactation less than 10% of the zinc in her milk is zinc which was present in her body at parturition. It can be inferred that 90% or more of the zinc ingested by rat pups via their mothers' milk originates from the dams' current dietary sources. Dietary zinc is rapidly turned over by the lactating dam, who secretes as much as 60% of the zinc she absorbs into her milk. Zinc in body stores, which was acquired before pregnancy and lactation, is turned over much more slowly.
The shadow map: a general contact definition for capturing the dynamics of biomolecular folding and function.

Structure-based models (SBMs) are simplified models of the biomolecular dynamics that arise from funneled energy landscapes. We recently introduced an all-atom SBM that explicitly represents the atomic geometry of a biomolecule. While this initial study showed the robustness of the all-atom SBM Hamiltonian to changes in many of the energetic parameters, an important aspect, which has not been explored previously, is the definition of native interactions. In this study, we propose a general definition for generating atomically grained contact maps called “Shadow”. The Shadow algorithm initially considers all atoms within a cutoff distance and then, controlled by a screening parameter, discards the occluded contacts. We show that this choice of contact map is not only well behaved for protein folding, since it produces consistently cooperative folding behavior in SBMs but also desirable for exploring the dynamics of macromolecular assemblies since, it distributes energy similarly between RNAs and proteins d...
Effect of selected mutations in the C-terminal region of the vaccinia virus nucleoside triphosphate phosphohydrolase I on binding to the H4L subunit of the viral RNA polymerase and early gene transcription termination in vitro.

Abstract Vaccinia virus nucleoside triphosphate phosphohydrolase I (NPH I) is an essential early gene transcription termination factor. The C-terminal end of NPH I binds to the N-terminal end of the H4L subunit (RAP94) of the virion RNA polymerase. This interaction is required for transcription termination and transcript release. To refine our understanding of the specific amino acids in the C-terminal end of NPH I involved in binding to H4L, and to develop a collection of mutations exhibiting various degrees of activity to be employed in in vivo studies, we prepared a set of short deletions, and clustered substitutions of charged amino acids to alanine, or bulky hydrophobic amino acids to alanine mutations. These NPH I mutant proteins were expressed, purified, and tested for ATPase activity, binding to H4L, and transcription termination activity. Most mutations in amino acids 609 to 631 exhibited reduced activity. Deletion of the terminal five amino acids (627–631), or substitution of Y 629 with alanine or glutamic acid, dramatically reduced NPH I mediated transcription termination. Deletion of the terminal F 631 , or substitution of F 631 with alanine, reduced binding to H4L and eliminated termination activity. These observations demonstrate that the terminal five amino acids directly participate in binding to RNA polymerase and in early gene transcription termination.
Designing auction institutions for exchange

In this paper we present a dialogue between game theory and laboratory/field experiments using a number of examples from the economic systems design literature. We observe that neither game theory or laboratory experimentation is sufficient for economic design. Instead, what seems to be critical is the ability of each to inform the other. We discuss the rapid emergence of ‘smart’ markets which are being engineered to extract the gains from exchange in increasingly complex resource allocation environments. We describe some of the desirable properties of these markets.
Stem Cell Research and Therapy: The Position of the National Society of Genetic Counselors

Stem cells’ regenerative capabilities present a unique opportunity to treat human illness and injury. In 2003, the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) issued a position statement supporting stem cell use in research settings. Almost a decade later, in response to legislative and technological developments within the field of stem cell science, NSGC convened a task force to revisit and update its statement on stem cell research. In doing so, the Task Force developed a new statement reaffirming NSGC’s support for stem cell research and endorsed continued stem cell therapy development. NSGC recognizes that the unique potential of stem cell therapy to treat human disease and injury can be realized only through research on a diverse array of stem cell lines drawn from multiple sources, including embryonic, cord blood, and adult cells. NSGC supports the use of stem cells in research and clinical settings when practices adhere to defined ethical and legal guidelines. Available stem cell lines should reflect our genetically diverse population, and donor recruitment should be without discrimination or coercion and include a thorough and dynamic informed consent process.
Cultural imperatives for industry-oriented performance

The relationships between industry characteristics and the cultural characteristics that are differentially associated with successful performance are explored. While the popular press often associates success with a strong culture or specific cultural characteristics, it is more likely that different industries place different demands upon companies, to which different cultural adjustments are appropriate. Examining different characteristics such as capital intensity, investment payback period, and nature of competition, the author hypothesizes that industries vary in the degree to which they concentrate upon either reliability of product or service, or adaptability to the marketplace as a primary objective. It is also hypothesized that firms with either goal will develop very different cultures in order to meet their challenges. An examination of management survey data from utilities and high tech manufacturers supports the hypotheses. Values that assured wide involvement in decisions and protected the company against radical departures from established procedures were reflected in the utilities. In the manufacturers, on the other hand, were reflected values which facilitated their ability to quickly respond to opportunities or changes in the marketplace. >
Commentary on 'Ultrasound-guided intralesional diode laser treatment of congenital extratruncular venous malformations: mid-term results'.

Jiang et al. reported successful results of endoluminal laser therapy (ELT) on extratruncular venous malformation (VM) lesions using ultrasound-guided intralesional diode laser method. A new role for ELT in extratruncular VM management has yet to be established, although ELT has been well accepted for varicose vein management. The VM lesion is not a fully matured normal vein, it is a residual embryonic tissue remnant following the defective development, so its clinical behavior/response to ELT and long-term outcome will be quite different from those of varicose veins. Extratruncular type VM lesion is the outcome of developmental arrest occurring at a reticular stage of embryonic life before the venous trunk is formed (cf. truncular lesion). Therefore, like all other extratruncular congenital vascular malformations (CVMs), this primitive venous tissue retains the characteristics of mesenchymal cells (angioblasts) to grow when stimulated (e.g. trauma, surgery, female hormone, menarche, pregnancy). Therefore, extratruncular VM lesions have a perpetual risk of recurrence after suboptimum management; improper treatment strategy often stimulates dormant lesions to respond in an erratic way. Such infiltrating lesions have a notorious reputation for high tendency to progress and high recurrence even with a well-established treatment plan (surgery; embolo-sclerotherapy). Laser therapy on extratruncular VM is no exception; it is not better than any other forms of treatment modality (e.g. foam sclerotherapy), but rather more vulnerable as its experience is mostly with Nd:YAG as an interstitial form to superficially located localized VM lesions. Besides, all the principles of laser application to the VM were adopted from
Dobutamine stress echocardiography: Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value for future cardiac events

We conducted a retrospective study to determine whether dobutamine stress echocardiography (DE) can be used for risk stratification of patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). The study population consisted of 77 patients who underwent DE at our institution. The protocol consisted of an echocardiogram at baseline followed by imaging during intravenous dobutamine infusion starting at 10 micrograms/kg/min with increments of 10 micrograms/kg/min every 3 minutes to a maximum dose of 40 micrograms/kg/min. The reasons for performing DE included preoperative cardiac evaluation (30), chest pain (23), assessment of ischemia (18), and suspected restenosis (6). DE was classified according to wall motion response as normal (before and during DE), fixed abnormal (abnormal before with no change during DE), or ischemic (new wall-motion abnormality during DE). Mean duration of follow-up was 10 months. Cardiac events occurred in 14 patients. These included congestive heart failure in seven patients, myocardial infarction in six, and cardiac death in one. A normal wall-motion response (n = 40) was associated with a low incidence of cardiac events (5%), whereas 5 of 10 patients (50%) with an ischemic response had events. The risk of cardiac events was intermediate (26%) in patients with fixed abnormal wall motion. Overall sensitivity of DE for predicting future cardiac events was 85%. In 45 patients who underwent coronary angiography within 2 months of DE, the test detected CAD with a sensitivity of 71%. In conclusion, the wall-motion response during DE may be used for identifying patients at high risk for future cardiac events.
Online and Traditional Assessments: What Is the Difference?.

This article identifies the major principles of general assessment theory, examines how these principles can be applied to an online environment, and identifies and describes several assessment issues that have special significance in a virtual classroom. In particular, the issues of proctored testing, identity security, academic honesty, and use of online discussions for assessment purposes are examined. Practical suggestions are included to assist both first-time and experienced online instructors develop assessment components for their online courses. Throughout this article the emphasis is on the creation of assessments in a constructivist environment where the emphasis is on relationships, inquiry, invention, and the construction of understanding through collaborative work and discussions.
An evaluation of the LACC program

Abstract The paper discusses the accuracy, speed, convergence and versatility of LACC, a finite element program for the analysis of linear accelerator cavities. A comparison is made between LACC and the well-known LALA program which is based on finite difference methods. The application of LACC to the analysis of microwave cavities operating in higher modes is illustrated with an example.
Predictors of lower extremity injury among recreationally active adults.

Objective: To identify gender-specific predictors of lower extremity injury among a sample of adults engaging in running, walking, or jogging (RWJ) for exercise. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Cooper Clinic Preventive Medicine Center, Dallas, Texas. Participants: Participants were 2,481 men and 609 women who underwent a physical examination between 1970 and 1981 and returned a follow-up survey in 1986. Predictor variables measured at baseline included height, weight, and cardiorespiratory fitness. At follow-up, participants recalled information about musculoskeletal injuries, physical activity levels, and other predictors for lower extremity injury over two time periods, 5 years and 12 months. Main Outcome Measures: An injury was defined as any self-reported lower extremity injury that required a consultation with a physician. Cox proportional hazards regression (HR) was used to predict the probability of lower extremity injury for the 5-year recall period, and unconditional logistic regression was used for the 12-month recall period. Results: Among men, previous lower extremity injury was the strongest predictor of lower extremity injury (HR = 1.93-2.09), regardless of recall period. Among women, RWJ mileage >20 miles/wk was the strongest predictor for the 5-year period (HR = 2.08), and previous lower extremity injury was the strongest predictor for the 12-month period (HR = 2.81). Conclusions: For healthy adults, walking at a brisk pace for 10-20 miles per week accumulates adequate moderate-intensity physical activity to meet national recommendations while minimizing the risk for musculoskeletal lower extremity injury. Clinicians may use this information to provide appropriate injury prevention counseling to their active patients.
Radiofrequency Ablation of a Recanalized Renal Arteriovenous Malformation

Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is becoming established as a method of treatment of small renal neoplasms. Successful RF ablation of a renal arteriovenous malformation (AVM) was performed in a patient who had previously undergone coil embolization and experienced hematuria after the feeding vessels recanalized. The 3.5-cm lesion was successfully treated with RF ablation, resulting in cessation of hematuria. At follow-up, there was no residual enhancement of the AVM on computed tomography and the lesion had decreased in size.
Clinician's Corner: Type 2 Diabetes: A Disease of Epidemic Proportion That Is Largely Preventable—But How?

In the United States, over 20 million Americans have diabetes and over a third of them are undiagnosed. Less than 50% of the adults in the United States engage in physical activity at the level currently recommended for health promotion. Over 70% of these diabetics will die of cardiovascular disease, the number one killer of all Americans. Physicians should identify and target the ones who are undiagnosed and at high risk (estimated to be over 40 million) and offer them comprehensive education and lifestyle interventions to prevent the development of this deadly and quality of life depleting illness in the prediabetics and better manage the ones who already have the disease. Such an approach will likely impact positively on lowering the mortality rate from diabetes and heart disease. There's a continuum of care and with the natural history of the declining function of the beta cell, we may in fact need to use medications to slow progression and treat diabetes. We should however use them thoughtfully and w...
Hardware encoder and decoder for 3-D stereo video streaming applications

This demonstration illustrates the fully-hardware-type encoder and decoder that are developed by ITRI (Industrial Technology Research Institute, Taiwan) for 3-D video compression. The encoder and decoder are compliant to ISO/IEC 14496-10 MPEG-4 AVC / ITU-T H.264 standard and they support baseline, main, and high profiles. Both of them also support stereo high profile of the Multiview Video Coding (MVC) extension of H.264 standard that is adopted in this work to demonstrate the 3-D stereo video streaming applications.
Effects of undulator interruptions on the performance of high-gain FEL amplifiers☆

Abstract The construction as well as the operation of a long undulator required for short wavelength generation with high-gain free-electron lasers will become easier if the undulator could be interrupted with drift sections every few gain lengths. To evaluate the effect of such interruption on the FEL performance, we study the following three effects; (i) the diffraction loss, (ii) the free space slippage and (iii) the phase de-coherence. The effect (i) is found to be small, the effect (ii) gives a condition on the length of the drift section and the effect (iii) is small, but not negligible.
Divergent tissue and sex effects of rapamycin on the proteasome-chaperone network of old mice.

Rapamycin, an allosteric inhibitor of the mTOR kinase, increases longevity in mice in a sex-specific manner. In contrast to the widely accepted theory that a loss of proteasome activity is detrimental to both life- and healthspan, biochemical studies in vitro reveal that rapamycin inhibits 20S proteasome peptidase activity. We tested if this unexpected finding is also evident after chronic rapamycin treatment in vivo by measuring peptidase activities for both the 26S and 20S proteasome in liver, fat, and brain tissues of old, male and female mice fed encapsulated chow containing 2.24mg/kg (14 ppm) rapamycin for 6 months. Further we assessed if rapamycin altered expression of the chaperone proteins known to interact with the proteasome-mediated degradation system (PMDS), heat shock factor 1 (HSF1), and the levels of key mTOR pathway proteins. Rapamycin had little effect on liver proteasome activity in either gender, but increased proteasome activity in female brain lysates and lowered its activity in female fat tissue. Rapamycin-induced changes in molecular chaperone levels were also more substantial in tissues from female animals. Furthermore, mTOR pathway proteins showed more significant changes in female tissues compared to those from males. These data show collectively that there are divergent tissue and sex effects of rapamycin on the proteasome-chaperone network and that these may be linked to the disparate effects of rapamycin on males and females. Further our findings suggest that rapamycin induces indirect regulation of the PMDS/heat-shock response through its modulation of the mTOR pathway rather than via direct interactions between rapamycin and the proteasome.
Broadening the concept of adolescent promiscuity: Male accountability made visible and the implications for family therapists

Abstract This paper is meant to broaden the concept of adolescent promiscuity to include male promiscuity and the gender bias that holds females accountable for sexual activity and ignores the role the male has in sexual activity and its consequences. The multiple systems which influence male teenage sexual behavior are examined. Communication patterns, family structure, availability and involvement of parent(s), the influence of gender stereotypes, cultural and ethnic influences, and the effects of the educational system are all examined in light of this broadened concept of male promiscuity. Family therapists possess the kind of knowledge and skills that can alter communication patterns, redefine boundaries, and promote the healthy parental involvement it takes to make an impact on the issue of male sexual promiscuity. Recommendations are made to family therapists with regard to assessment procedures and self-of the-therapist examination. Suggestions for interventions and directives in treatment are giv...
FIV infection induces unique changes in phenotype and cellularity in the medial iliac lymph node and intestinal IEL.

Studies of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1)-infected patients and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected macaques have identified profound depletion of CD4+ T cells and expansion of CD8+ T cells in the gastrointestinal lamina propria. Less attention has been given to CD8+ intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL), and no studies have concurrently examined inductive sites such as draining lymph nodes. Our preliminary data in the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) animal model suggested additional changes in IEL, and marked differences in the responses of lymph nodes draining different mucosal sites. To address this, we quantified the absolute leukocyte yield and examined the phenotype of cells from small intestinal IEL, mesenteric lymph node (MLN), and medial iliac lymph node (ILN) from chronically FIV-infected cats. The cellularity of the ILN was increased 530% in FIV-infected animals with an expansion of CD62L+ cells, suggesting an increased population of naive T cells. The number of CD4+, as well a...
Epilithic chlorophyll a, photosynthesis, and respiration in control and fertilized reaches of a tundra stream

Photosynthesis and respiration by the epilithic community on cobble in an arctic tundra stream, were estimated from oxygen production and consumption in short-term (4-12 h), light and dark, chamber incubations. Chlorophyll a was estimated at the end of each incubation by quantitatively removing the epilithon from the cobble.
Resilience and vulnerability: a neurobiological perspective.

The brain is constantly adapting to a changing environment. It detects environmental stimuli, integrates that information with internal states, and engages appropriate behavioral and physiological responses. This process of stability through change is termed “allostasis”, and serves as a mechanism by which an organism can adapt to a changing environment to function optimally, and ultimately ensure survival. The ability to adapt to stressors in the environment by “bending” but not “breaking” can be considered as “resilience”. Individuals that are more able to withstand such challenges to their stability, and bounce back after, can be considered more resilient than those that do not. This review will explore what resilience means in a neurobiological context, the role of stress and allostasis, and focuses on the role of neurotrophins, particularly BDNF, in mediating adaptive plasticity.
The biology behind the new therapies for SLE.

Summary Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogenous disease with complex pathogenesis. Aim: In this review, we summarise recent progress in the understanding of SLE pathogenesis and discuss implications for the treatment of SLE patients using standard and experimental medications. Conclusions: The discovery that Toll-like receptor signalling and interferon-α abundance are central elements of the disease process has led to a new appreciation for hydroxychloroquine as an essential baseline medication. Although much needs to be learned, modulation of the immune system via B-cell depletion is entering clinical practice. Mycophenolate mofetil is an effective and safer alternative to cyclophosphamide for many patients with lupus nephritis. Several other therapeutic approaches are at various stages of preclinical and clinical development. These include anticytokine therapies, co-stimulatory blockade, antigen-specific immune modulation and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Efficient and Anonymous Web-Usage Mining for Web Personalization

The World Wide Web (WWW) is the largest distributed information space and has grown to encompass diverse information resources. Although the web is growing exponentially, the individual's capacity to read and digest content is essentially fixed. The full economic potential of the web will not be realized unless enabling technologies are provided to facilitate access to web resources. Currently web personalization is the most promising approach to remedy this problem, and web mining, particularly web-usage mining, is considered a crucial component of any efficacious web-personalization system. In this paper, we describe a complete framework for web-usage mining to satisfy the challenging requirements of web-personalization applications. For online and anonymous web personalization to be effective, web usage mining must be accomplished in real time as accurately as possible. On the other hand, web-usage mining should allow a compromise between scalability and accuracy to be applicable to real-life websites with numerous visitors. Within our web-usage-mining framework, we introduce a distributed user-tracking approach for accurate, scalable, and implicit collection of the usage data. We also propose a new model, thefeature-matrices (FM) model, to discover and interpret users' access patterns. With FM, various spatial and temporal features of usage data can be captured with flexible precision so that we can trade off accuracy for scalability based on the specific application requirements. Moreover, tunable complexity of the FM model allows real-time and adaptive access pattern discovery from usage data. We define a novel similarity measure based on FM that is specifically designed for accurate classification of partial navigation patterns in real time. Our extensive experiments with both synthetic and real data verify correctness and efficacy of our web-usage-mining framework for anonymous and efficient web personalization.
Non-Stoichiometry and Cation Tracer Diffusion Studies in the Magnetite-UlvÖSpinel Solution, (Fe,Ti)3-δO4

Cation diffusion in the spinel solid solution (Fe 1-x Ti x ) 3-δ O 4 (0≤ x ≤ 0.3) was investigated at 1200 oC as a function of oxygen activity, a O 2 and cationic composition, x. At different cationic compositions, cation tracer diffusion coefficients, D * Me of Me = Fe and Ti were measured as a function of oxygen activity. Plots of log DMe vs. log a0 show V-shaped curves, indicating that different types of point defects prevail at high anc low oxygen activities. Thermogravimetric experiments were conducted, using a high resolution microbalance, to determine the deviation from stoichiometry in (Fe 1-x Ti x ) 3-δ O 4 at 1200 °C. δversus log a O 2 curves are S-shaped. An analysis of the oxygen activity dependences of thecation diffusion coefficients and the deviation from stoichiometry with regardto the point defect structure suggests that at high oxygen activities cation vacancies are the predominant defects governing the deviation from stoichiometry and the diffusion ofcations. At low oxygen activities, and at small values of x, cation interstitials determine the deviation from stoichiometry, while they dominate for 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3 inthe cation diffusion.
TQL: A query language to support traceability

A query language for traceability is proposed and presented. The language, TQL, is based in XML and supports queries across multiple artifacts and multiple traceability link types. A number of primitives are defined to allow complex queries to be constructed and executed. Example queries are presented in the context of traceability questions. The technical details of the language and issues of implementation are discussed.