cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The diagnostic accuracy of an abdominal radiograph with signs and symptoms of intussusception.

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of an abdominal ultrasound to that of a highly suggestive abdominal radiograph combined with signs and symptoms of intussusception. Design This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of children 3 years or younger with signs and symptoms of intussusceptions who presented to a pediatric emergency department (ED). Univariate analysis, multivariate analysis, and diagnostic accuracy of clinical characteristics and radiographic findings were derived. Results A highly suggestive abdominal radiograph (14.80; 5.85-37.45), right upper quadrant mass (8.90; 1.14-69.47), vomiting (2.54; 1.36-4.76), and abdominal pain (2.45; 1.36-4.40) were found to be significantly associated with intussusception by univariate analysis. Vomiting (2.80; 1.34-5.85), abdominal pain (2.75; 1.33-5.69), and bloody stools (2.70; 1.07-6.81) were independently associated with intussusceptions by multivariate analysis. Bloody stools were time dependent. Bloody stools occurred in those patients with intussusception at a median time of 24 hours, from the time the patient started with signs and symptoms to the time of presentation to the ED, vs those without bloody stools presenting at a median time of 11 hours. The combination of a highly suggestive abdominal radiograph, abdominal pain, lethargy, and vomiting was highly specific (95%) for intussusception, comparable to that of an ultrasound (93%). In patients with this combination, all were found to have intussusception by enema or surgery. Conclusions Ultrasound is not needed before an enema for the diagnosis of intussusception for those with a highly suggestive abdominal radiograph, abdominal pain, lethargy, and vomiting.
The effect of chronic ethanol consumption on the tumorigenicity of N-nitrosopyrrolidine in male Syrian golden hamsters.

Abstract The effect of oral administration of ethanol on the tumorigenicity of N-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR) in chow-fed male Syrian golden hamsters has been investigated. Groups of hamsters were given tap water, 7.4% ethanol or 18.5% ethanol—water mixtures 4 weeks prior to and throughout the carcinogen administration period. A total dose of 1 mmol NPYR was administered by intraperitoneal injection to both tap water and ethanol-consuming animals over a 25-week period. Twenty-four hours after the last injection, ethanol-consuming animals were returned to tap water. In control animals treated with NPYR we observed 3 26 animals with tracheal papillomas, and 6 26 animals with hepatic neoplastic nodules. In animals receiving 7.4% ethanol—water mixtures, we observed 6 26 tracheal papillomas, and 17 26 hepatic neoplastic nodules. Similar results were observed in animals receiving 18.5% ethanol. These data indicate that chronic administration of ethanol to chow-fed hamsters increases the incidence of hepatic neoplastic nodules although no differences in the two levels of ethanol were observed.
Coupled population dynamics of endosymbionts within and between hosts

Many insect species are infected with maternally transmitted endosymbionts, the most widely documented being Wolbachia. The rate of spread and equilibrium of prevalence of these infections depend on two parameters - maternal transmission fidelity and relative fitness of infected cytoplasmic lineages. Both transmission fidelity and the phenotypic effect of endosymbionts often increase with endosymbiont density within hosts. Thus, the dynamics of infection prevalence in host populations depends on processes affecting within-host density of endosymbionts. In theory, the equilibrium prevalence of infection by male-killing endosymbionts is much more sensitive to changes in transmission fidelity and relative fitness than is that of endosymbionts that cause cytoplasmic incompatibility. In natural populations, male-killers exhibit much greater temporal and spatial variation in the prevalence of infection than do endosymbionts that cause cytoplasmic incompatibility. Thus, the population dynamics of endosymbiont infections, especially those that cause male-killing, is likely to be governed by environmental and genetic variables that affect within-host density of these infections.
Patulin Toxicosis in Poultry

Abstract Patulin (4-hydroxy-4H-furo [3,2c] pyran-2 (6H)-one), a mycotoxin produced by several species in the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Byssochlamys, was produced in gram/liter quantities in poultry feed by P. patulum. The patulin LD50 dosage for White Leghorn cockerels was 170 mg./kg. Sublethal feeding produced hemorrhaging, limited to the digestive tract.
Single crystal electron paramagnetic resonance study of rubidium lead hexanitrocuprate (II) at 295 K

Abstract At 295 K g | = 2.073 and g ⊥ = 2.155 for Rb 2 PbCu(NO 2 ) 6 . The minimum g tensor principal axis is aligned with the c axis of the unit cell which is along the short Cu-N bond in the compressed tetragonal CuN 6 environment.
Temporal and light regulation of the expression of three phytochromes in germinating seeds and young seedlings of Avena sativa L.

An oat (Avena sativa L.) plant contains at least three phytochromes, which have monomeric masses of 125, 124, and 123 kilodaltons (kDa) (Wang et al., 1991, Planta 184, 96–104). The 124-kDa phytochrome is most abundant in dark-grown seedlings, while the other two phytochromes predominate in light-grown seedlings. Using three monoclonal antibodies, each specific to one of the three phytochromes, we have monitored by immunoblot assay the expression of these three phytochromes in the 5 d following onset of imbibition of seeds. On a per-organism basis, each of these three phytochromes increased in abundance for the first 3 d in the light, or for the first 4 d in darkness, after which they each began to decrease in quantity. When 3-d-old dark-grown seedlings were transferred to the light, the abundance of each of these three phytochromes decreased both in absolute amount and relative to the phytochrome levels in control seedlings kept in darkness. In contrast, when 3-d-old light-grown seedlings were transferred to darkness, the abundance of the 124-kDa and 125-kDa phytochromes increased while that of 123-kDa phytochrome remained unchanged. In each case, the level of phytochrome was greater than that of control seedlings maintained in the light. Thus, in addition to temporal regulation, all three phytochromes exhibit photoregulated expression at the protein level, although the magnitude of this photoregulation varies substantially.
Solomon Asch's Legacy for Group Research:

Asch's work has had a profound impact on how psychologists think about and study social influence in groups. To appreciate this impact, we must go beyond his classic conformity experiments and consider his broader theoretical framework. This article examines 4 of Asch's ideas that have proven to be particularly influential in later efforts to understand social influence in groups: (a) Social interaction depends on individuals' ability to represent others' positions, define themselves as members of the same group, and regulate their behavior in terms of the norms and values of the group; (b) independence is critical to effective group functioning; (c) independence and conformity are not simply mirror images that can be explained in terms of a unitary psychological process; and (d) change of meaning is an important mechanism of social influence. Finally, Asch's role as a theorist and researcher in the wider area of group dynamics is considered.
QuoDocs: improving developer engagement in software documentation through gamification

Open source projects are created and maintained by developers who are distributed across the globe. As projects become larger, a developer's knowledge of a project's conceptual model becomes specialized. When new members join a project, it is difficult for them to understand the reasoning behind the structure and organization of the project since they do not have access to earlier discussions. We interviewed and surveyed developers from a popular open source project hosting website to find out how they maintain documentation and communicate the project details with new members. We found that documentation is largely out of sync with code and that developers do not find maintaining it to be an engaging activity. In this paper, we propose a new system -- QuoDocs -- and take a human-centered approach to introduce competitiveness and personalization to engage software developers in documenting their projects.
A new noncentrosymmetric orthoborate [Ba2Zn(BO3)2]

Abstract A new anhydrous, noncentrosymmetric orthoborate has been prepared and its crystal structure determined by X-ray diffraction of a single crystal. The material crystallizes in the orthorhombic system with a = 15.068(2), b = 8.720(2), and c = 10.128(3) A ; the space group is Pca21 and Z = 8. The final residuals were R = 0.083 and Rw = 0.112 for 1140 reflections. The structure is composed of layers of ZnO4 tetrahedra and BO3 triangles connected through shared oxygen vertices; these layers are connected by additional interleaving BO3 triangles and barium atoms. Calculations of the efficacy of the structure for second harmonic generation are discussed.
Comparative analysis of color architectures for image sensors

We have developed a software simulator to create physical models of a scene, compute camera responses, render the camera images and to measure the perceptual color errors between the scene and rendered imags. The simulator can be used to measure color reproduction errors and analyze the contributions of different sources to the error. We compare three color architectures for digital cameras: (a) a sensor array containing three interleaved color mosaics, (b) an architecture using dichroic prisms to create three spatially separated copies of the image, (c) a single sensor array coupled with a time-varying color filter measuring three images sequentially in time. Here, we analyze the color accuracy of several exposure control methods applied to these architectures. The first exposure control algorithm simply stops image acquisition when one channel reaches saturation. In a second scheme, we determine the optimal exposure time for each color channel separately, resulting in a longer total exposure time. In a third scheme we restrict the total exposure duration to that of the first scheme, but we preserve the optimum ratio between color channels. Simulator analyses measure the color reproduction quality of these different exposure control methods as a function of illumination taking into account photon and sensor noise, quantization and color conversion errors.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Validity of the similarities ratio as a predictor of violent behavior: data from a mentally-retarded sample

It has been proposed that a low WAIS Similarities subtest scaled score, relative to the other subtests, is associated with violent behavior. The validity of this ratio was investigated in a sample of 106 mentally-retarded Ss. The ratio of Similarities to the sum of all the subtest scores was correlated with the Violent and Destructive Behavior domain from the Adaptive Behavior Scale. A very small (r = -0.11) and statistically-nonsignificant coefficient was derived, making this the third failure to replicate or generalize the validity of this index.
950-96 Quantification of Left Ventricular Function by Applying Signal Averaging to Echocardiographic Automated Border Detection

The acoustic quantification technique for automated detection of endocardial boundaries currently provides continuous left ventricular (LV) area or volume signals and beat-to-beat ejection fraction. However, due to displacement of the heart relative to the predefined region of interest, gain settings may become inappropriate, resulting in a distortion of individual waveforms and a wide beat-to-beat variability. To circumvent these limitations, we developed an algorithm for the evaluation of LV function using signal averaging, based on the stochastic sign change as a criterion for temporal beat alignment and rejection of artifacts. Left ventricular area signals obtained from the short axis view at the mid papillary muscle level in 8 normal subjects were digitized over a period of 100 sec and subjected to signal processing. End-diastolic and end-systolic area, stroke area and fractional area change were measured directly from the average waveform. Peak ejection and peak filling rates, and time to peak filling rate were obtained from the time derivative of the average waveform. The proposed algorithm was initially evaluated by studying the variability in the above parameters caused by different template waveform selections and different averaging threshold settings, which were found to result in a variability below 5% in parameters measured directly from the average waveform, and up to 10% in those obtained from the time derivative. Subsequently, the feasibility of an automated version of the algorithm, based on objective operator independent criteria, was evaluated, and parameters obtained were found to be in excellent agreement with those obtained using manual approach. In summary, this algorithm provides a fast. easy and objective method for noise reduction in acoustic quantification signals. This algorithm may improve the on-line noninvasive assessment of systolic and diastolic LV function.
Expression and Post‐Translational Processing of Preprodynorphin in the Rat Anterior Pituitary Cell Line, GH4C1

Abstract A recombinant plasmid containing the rat preprodynorphin cDNA was introduced into the rat anterior pituitary cell line, GH4C1. These cells normally express growth hormone and prolactin but not prodynorphin. Stable transformants were isolated and analyzed for the expression and processing of prodynorphin. Chromatographic analyses demonstrated that the prodynorphin was incompletely processed in GH4C1 cells. Analyses of the peptides by specific radioimmunoassays to chemically synthesized peptides showed that the cells have the ability to process both at dibasic and monobasic cleavage sites. The release of prodynorphin-derived peptides paralleled that of prolactin upon stimulation with thyrotropin-releasing hormone, forskolin or carbachol suggesting that the prodynorphin-derived peptides and prolactin are sequestered in similar physiologically responsive compartments. These data suggest that the GH4C1 cells incompletely process prodynorphin. The processing in GH4C1 cells occurs both at monobasic and dibasic cleavage sites.
Epidermal Growth Factor and Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Enhance Keratinocyte Migration

Although their mechanisms of action are unclear, a number of growth factors has been shown to promote cutaneous wound repair. Keratinocyte migration and proliferation are required for re-epithelialization, and there is evidence to suggest that these processes may be regulated by one or more growth factors that promote wound repair. Using the phagokinetic assay, which allows direct observation of migration path as a gold-particle-free area, we examined the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) on human keratinocyte migration. Addition of EGF to defined medium in the absence of any other growth factor induced an increase in migration of 2.5-4.5 fold after overnight incubation; the effect of EGF on migration was concentration dependent, with a maximum at 10 to 50 ng/ml EGF. Concentration-dependent enhancement of keratinocyte migration was similarly observed with IGF-I as well as insulin. With all factors, migration was observed on colloidal gold plates coated with collagen IV or with fibronectin but not in the absence of matrix coating. To examine further the involvement of the EGF receptor in keratinocyte migration, we tested the effect of a monoclonal antibody to the EGF receptor that acts as an antagonist. EGF-induced migration was completely prevented by this antibody; however, the enhancement by insulin or IGF-I was not blocked. These results suggest that IGF-I and insulin enhance keratinocyte migration by a mechanism distinct from that of EGF.
Hypotheses for the origin of fine-grained sedimentary rocks at Santa Maria crater, Meridiani Planum

En route to Endeavour crater, the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity embarked on a short but significant campaign at Santa Maria crater during sols 2450–2551. Santa Maria crater is a relatively young impact crater, approximately 100 m in diameter and 11–17 m deep. Opportunity performed detailed analyses on several ejecta blocks and completed an extensive imaging campaign around the crater. Many of the ejecta blocks are composed of sandstone with abundant wind ripple laminations suggestive of eolian deposition. However, other ejecta blocks are massive, fine-grained, and exhibit a nodular texture. These rocks are interpreted to be the first rocks of a grain size smaller than the Microscopic Imager can resolve, and may represent the first mudstones observed by the rover. Several depositional environments are considered for the origin of the fine-grained rocks, and the observations are best fit by a transient evaporitic lake. If the inferred mudstones were deposited in a lacustrine setting, then surface water may have been present in a broader range of surface environments than previously documented at Meridiani Planum.
Calcification rates in the equatorial Pacific along 140°W

Abstract The calcite standing stock, calcification rate, concentrations of detached coccoliths and plated coccolithophore cells were determined in the equatorial Pacific along 140°W, between 12°N and 12°S latitude, during August and September 1992. Continuous surface optical and fluorescence measurements were also taken along this transect. Integrated calcification ranged between 3 and 12% of the total carbon fixed into particulate matter. Calcification exceeded 50% of the total fixed carbon (per unit volume) at specific depths from the northern-most oligotrophic stations. A pronounced subsurface peak in suspended calcite was noted near the equator. Calcification was considerably more patchy than photosynthesis. Normalizing the calcification rates to the surface area of calcite-producing species provided an estimate of the extracellular calcite flux rates. These results showed that the populations from the equator to 3°N at 60 m depth, and near the surface from the equator to 9°S were the most active calcite producers. Underway estimates of light scattering showed the importance of upwelling for bringing cold, clear, relatively particle-free water to the surface, followed by growth and calcite production as the water warmed. When temperatures reached their upper range (about 28.8°C), light scattering decreased again, presumably as growth slowed and particles sank. Integrated calcification estimates averaged over the equatorial region were compared to sediment trap data: the results suggest significant disappearance of calcite particles in the top 1000 m, above the lysocline. One hypothesis to explain this is that dissolution occurred in microzones where decomposition of reduced organic matter lowered the pH sufficiently to dissolve calcite.
The impact of structural adjustment policies on women's and children's health in Tanzania.

Since 1981, in an attempt to deal withTanzania's present social and economic crisis which dates back to the late 1970s, the government has adopted a variety of policy measures including The National Economic Survival Plan (NESP), Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), Economic Recovery Programme (ERP) I (1986) and II (1989); the Economic and Social Action Plan (ESAP) and Priority Social Action Plan (PSAP) (1989). The principal objective of these adjustment measures has been to attain macroeconomic balance by bringing national expenditure into line with national income to reduce inflation and to increase exports. Other objectives have been to maintain egalitarian income distribution and provision of basic social services to the majority of the population. In order to realise these objectives, the government has been controlling credit and has removed subsidies on certain food items and agricultural inputs; introduced a system of progressive devaluation; liberalised trade; and has been trying to reduce gove...
CRACK FORMATION IN BLANKING AND PIERCING

Abstract In recent experiments on blanking and piercing it was found that cracks occurred in the region of maximum hardness gradient and that cracking could be eliminated by radiusing the punch and die edges. In this paper a simple stress analysis is made of the corresponding plane strain deformation, account being taken of the strain-hardening property of the work material. The above experimental observations are then shown to be compatible with the predicted stress distributions.
Synergy between Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and morphine in the arthritic rat

We have shown in past isobolographic studies that a small amount of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC) can enhance morphine antinociception in mice. However, previous studies of the Delta(9)-THC/morphine interaction were performed using normal mice or rats and evaluated acute thermal antinociception. Less is known about cannabinoid and opioid interactions involved in mechanical nociception and in chronic inflammatory pain models, such as Freund's complete adjuvant-induced arthritic model. One fixed-ratio combination was chosen for testing the interaction between Delta(9)-THC and morphine in the Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritic model. This combination represented a 1:1 ratio of the drugs and thus consisted of equieffective doses ranging from 0.1 to 5 mg/kg Delta(9)-THC and from 0.1 to 5 mg/kg morphine. The combination ED(50) value for the fixed ratios (total dose) in relation to the ED(50) value of the drugs alone was determined. The isobolographic analysis indicated a synergistic interaction between Delta(9)-THC and morphine in both the non-arthritic and the arthritic rats. Since Freund's adjuvant-induced alteration in endogenous opioid tone has been previously shown, our data indicate that such changes did not preclude the use of Delta(9)-THC and morphine in combination. As with acute preclinical pain models in which the Delta(9)-THC/morphine combination results in less tolerance development, the implication of the study for chronic pain conditions is discussed.
Vascular access for hemodialysis: Thrills and thrombosis

Hemodialysis is a life saving treatment for Americans with end stage renal disease. In the last decade, liberal selection of patients treated by hemodialysis has resulted in patients who are substantially older, diabetics, who have higher co-morbidities including extensive atherosclerotic vascular disease. Many of these patients start hemodialysis treatments with a synthetic graft access rather than with their own native vessels. Grafts are appropriate for patients with inadequate vessels for construction of an arterio-venous (A-V) fistulas. The National Kidney Foundation published the Dialysis Outcome Quality Initiative (DOQI) guidelines in 1997, a set of evidenced based guidelines regarding the optimal management of vascular access. One important guideline had been to increase the number of patient dialyzing with Arterio-Venous (A-V) fistulas rather than A-V grafts which are prone to frequent stenosis, thrombosis, and thus are more costly and labor intensive. The prevalence of patient dialyzing with fistulas depends on several factors; timing of the referral, anatomy and adequacy of the patients vessels, type of fistula placed, fistula maturation, minimal accepted dialysis blood flow and patency of the fistula. The management of a vascular access for hemodialysis is a challenging area of practice for those who care for the hemodialysis patient population. The multidisciplinary approach to management of patients with hemodialysis access includes support, education, collaboration and ongoing communication with the multidisciplinary team, patients, and their family members.
A review of mast cells and liver disease: What have we learned?

Abstract Background Mast cells are recognized as diverse and highly complicated cells. Aside from their notorious role in allergic inflammatory reactions, mast cells are being implicated in numerous disease processes from heart disease to cancer. Mast cells have been implicated in liver pathogenesis including hepatitis and host allograft rejection after liver transplantation. Aims The aim of this review is to discuss the traditional function of mast cells, their location and anatomy with regards to hepatic vasculature and the role of mast cells in hepatic diseases including liver regeneration and rejection. Finally, we will touch on the role of mast cells in liver cancer. In conclusion, we hope that the reader comes away with a better understanding of the diverse and potential role(s) that mast cells may play in liver pathologies.
Fragile Legacy: Photographs as Documents in Recovering Political and Cultural History at the Royal Court of Benin

Photographs create a tantalizing sense of “being there” while history was being made. They offer a means of entry into cultures that are historically non-literate, stimulating informants' memories and linking their oral traditions to specific events and persons in the culture. Their research potential in West Africa and in Nigeria, in particular, is only now being recognized (Edwards 1990; Kaplan 1990: 317-319; Scherer 1990: 131, 135, 139, 141, 145; Sprague 1978; Viditz-Ward 1985; 1991). The focus here is on photographs connected with the royal court of Benin, and with ongoing ethnographic field work initiated in 1982.1 Special attention is given to photographs taken between 1926 and 1989 by S. O. Alonge, the first indigenous and Benin royal photographer. His work illuminates political and cultural history, and contributes to the beginnings of a history of photography in Nigeria.Evocative images have been used to illustrate books and articles about West Africa.since the early days of nineteenth-century photography. Studies of visuals, however, taken in Nigeria by indigenous photographers and reported systematic uses of photographs in research designs are still rare (Borgatti 1982; Kaplan 1980, 1991a, 1991b; Karpinski 1984; Sprague 1978). Most research extant on early uses of visuals has been on cinema (Rouch 1975a, 1975b). There has been serious interest in the condition and circumstances of Nigeria cinema and filmmakers, and a desire to create a history of African film (Mathias 1986). The impetus to codify and to create methods for the study of film and stills in anthropology points to a growing awareness of their potential as much more than entertainment and illustration. Photographs are best been as behavior and ideas captured and expressed in imagery, and studied much as we do material culture.
UV-B induces leaf reddening and supports photosynthesis in the seagrass Thalassia testudinum

Abstract Numerous seagrass species growing in intertidal and shallow subtidal areas around the world produce red leaves, but the factors responsible for the induction of leaf reddening in seagrasses are poorly understood. We investigated the responses of transplanted green-leafed and in situ red-leafed Thalassia testudinum shoots growing in high light areas in the lower Florida Keys, USA, to four light treatments: 1) full solar radiation with UV excluded (PAR); 2) full solar radiation with UV–B excluded (PAR + UV–A); 3) full solar radiation reduced by 50% (50% Ambient); and 4) full solar radiation (Ambient). In our first experiment, green-leafed shoots were transplanted from a 1 m depth (MLW) to the four light treatments in 0.2 m depth (MLW). In our second experiment, in situ red-leafed shoots growing at depths between 0.2 m and 0.5 m were exposed to the four light treatments. Within one week, new leaf tissue from green-leafed shoots transplanted into shallow water accumulated anthocyanins and began to turn red in treatments receiving full spectrum solar radiation (Ambient; 50% Ambient) while transplanted green-leafed shoots in the two treatments that excluded UV–B (PAR and PAR + UV–A) had low anthocyanin content and remained green. Although we quickly induced red coloration in leaves of green-leafed shoots, reducing light levels (including UV–B) for seven weeks did not cause leaves of in situ red leafed shoots to decrease anthocyanin content or turn green. Instead, red leaves increased photosynthetic pigments in all treatments except Ambient. In addition, the PAR+UV -A treatment had lower effective quantum yields at midday compared to the PAR, 50% Ambient, and Ambient treatments, as well as lower relative electron transport rates compared to the PAR and Ambient treatments. We conclude that exposure to UV–B induces anthocyanin accumulation and red coloration in green-leafed shoots and contributes to the maintenance of high levels of photosynthesis in red-leafed shoots of T. testudinum . We also propose that T. testudinum in the clear, shallow waters of the lower Florida Keys produces a red-leafed variant, a genetically differentiated form of this species, with permanently red leaves since anthocyanin accumulation and red coloration in leaves of red-leafed shoots was not reversible in this and a longer-term study.
Polymeric waveguide design of a 2D scanner

Presented here is the optical characterization and 2D scanning capabilities of an SU-8 based waveguide scanner. Transducing a resonant microcantilever in both the vertical and horizontal direction provides a raster motion useful for imaging when in combination with light source and detector. An application of this design can be in the area of endoscopy where noninvasive instrumentation is desired. MEMS fabricated polymeric devices will allow reduction of the overall size of the system while maintaining the resolution and field-of-view (FOV) of current endoscopes. Our design provides the initial phases for the realization of this system. A waveguide scanner has been fabricated with a 50x100mm cross section and beam length of 2mm. Mode coupling from input to output of the structural design has been determined to be 71.4%. Total power output measured experimentally to be 20%. Preliminary tests have shown 2D imaging with digital processed reconstruction.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
On the existence of optimal strategies in multi-agent stochastic teams

In this paper, we identify sufficient conditions under which an N-agent static team with no observation sharing information structure admits a team-optimal solution. We also discuss the implications of our result in the study of dynamic LQG team problems.
Rehabilitation of a patient with lower-extremity quadriprostheses.

: A case report is presented that demonstrates the successful rehabilitation of an 84-year-old woman who had undergone successive surgical procedures resulting in bilateral total hip replacement and bilateral prostheses for below-knee amputations, i.e., quadriprostheses. It is emphasized that age per se should not be a deterrent to energetic rehabilitation efforts.
H2O2 Regulates Lung Epithelial Sodium Channel (ENaC) via Ubiquitin-like Protein Nedd8

Redundancies in both the ubiquitin and epithelial sodium transport pathways allude to their importance of proteolytic degradation and ion transport in maintaining normal cell function. The classical pathway implicated in ubiquitination of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) involves Nedd4-2 regulation of sodium channel subunit expression and has been studied extensively studied. However, less attention has been given to the role of the ubiquitin-like protein Nedd8. Here we show that Nedd8 plays an important role in the ubiquitination of ENaC in alveolar epithelial cells. We report that the Nedd8 pathway is redox-sensitive and that under oxidizing conditions Nedd8 conjugation to Cullin-1 is attenuated, resulting in greater surface expression of α-ENaC. This observation was confirmed in our electrophysiology studies in which we inhibited Nedd8-activating enzyme using MLN4924 (a specific Nedd8-activating enzyme inhibitor) and observed a marked increase in ENaC activity (measured as the product of the number of channels (N) and the open probability (Po) of a channel). These results suggest that ubiquitination of lung ENaC is redox-sensitive and may have significant implications for our understanding of the role of ENaC in pulmonary conditions where oxidative stress occurs, such as pulmonary edema and acute lung injury.
The Transmembrane Kinase Ire1p Is a Site-Specific Endonuclease That Initiates mRNA Splicing in the Unfolded Protein Response

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) communicates with the nucleus through the unfolded protein response (UPR), which senses accumulation of unfolded proteins in the ER lumen and leads to increased transcription of genes encoding ER-resident chaperones. As a key regulatory step in this signaling pathway, the mRNA encoding the UPR-specific transcription factor Hac1p becomes spliced by a unique mechanism that requires tRNA ligase but not the spliceosome. Splicing is initiated upon activation of Ire1p, a transmembrane kinase that lies in the ER and/or inner nuclear membrane. We show that Ire1p is a bifunctional enzyme: in addition to being a kinase, it is a site-specific endoribonuclease that cleaves HAC1 mRNA specifically at both splice junctions. The addition of purified tRNA ligase completes splicing; we therefore have reconstituted HAC1 mRNA splicing in vitro from purified components.
Literacy Strategy Journal: Planning Literacy Instruction in a Liberal Arts College.

This paper discusses the importance of writing, developing, and implementing a literacy strategy journal as a junior faculty teaching literacy courses in a University in the United States. The analysis of the content of the literacy strategy journal is carried out by applying a Bakhtinian dialogic framework to become aware and understand how dialogicality between the instructor and the content of the literacy strategy journal supported a systematic and in depth self-reflection aimed to improve teaching and pedagogy in the literacy courses taught. The author wants to demonstrate that the literacy strategy journal is not a static object, a legal pad notebook with words written down in a linear fashion but a dynamic site of self-reflection and growth for improving teaching and learning in literacy courses in higher education. The literacy strategy journal used by the author is a third space for self-reflection and pedagogical growth paramount to prepare literacy teachers for the 21 st century in K-12 schools in the United States.
A STOCHASTIC MODEL OF THE EVOLUTION DERIVED FROM ELASTIC VELOCITY PROCESS WITH MIXED DIFFUSION-JUMP CHARACTERISTICS

The phenomenon of phase space evolution is modeled by the diffusional change in particles directions that is interrupted by independent collisions. Transition densities of stochastic process defined by this dynamical evolution are equivalent to solutions of a particular Boltzmann integro-differential equation. The general construction of solutions of this equation is developed. Specific methods of calculations of transition densities are detailed for the small angle approximation of the Boltzmann equation.
Profiles of free and conjugated ecdysteroids and ecdysteroid acids during pupal‐adult development of Manduca sexta

The levels of individual free and conjugated ecdysteroids and ecdysteroid acids, labeled from [14C]cholesterol, in five different age groups of male Manduca sexta during pupal-adult development were determined by HPLC. Eight free ecdysteroids, eight ecdysteroid phosphates, and two ecdysteroid acids were identified. Newly ecdysed pupae contained predominantly 3-epiecdysteroids in each of the free, conjugated, and acidic ecdysteroid fractions. The titer of each ecdysteroid fraction rose sharply by day 4, and this was particularly noteworthy with respect to free ecdysone and 3-epi-20-hydroxyecdysonoic acid. This stage demonstrated high degrees of ecdysone biosynthesis, oxidative catabolism, and phosphorylation. As development proceeded to day 16, total ecdysteroid titer remained constant; a decreasing free ecdysteroid titer was accompanieid by increasing titers of both conjugates and acids resulting from the metabolic processes of hydroxylation, oxidation, epimerization, and phosphorylation. The predominant metabolites throughout development were 3-epi-20-hydroxyecdysonoic acid and the phosphate conjugates of 3-epi-20-hydroxyecdysone and 3-epi-20,26-dihydroxyecdysone. The ultimate inactivation of the ecdysteroids of M. sexta during pupal-adult development is possibly mediated by two pairs of metabolically-linked processes, one leading to a 3-epiecdysteroid acid, and the other to 3-epiecdysteroid phosphates.
Imaging Spectrum of Bites, Stings, and Their Complications: Pictorial Review

ObjectiveSoft-tissue injuries from animal bites and insect stings are frequent causes of emergency department visits. Although many cases follow a short and benign clinical course, life-threatening complications can occur. Imaging can play an important role in guiding clinical care by revealing the scope of the injury and associated complications. The purpose of this article is to provide a brief overview of the epidemiology of animal-related injuries, with a focus on imaging manifestations of soft-tissue injury using multiple techniques in a pictorial review format.ConclusionThis article reviews the imaging manifestations of soft-tissue injuries caused by animal bites and insect stings. After completing this article, the reader should have an improved ability to recognize complications of soft-tissue injuries and the role of advanced imaging in select cases.
K-shell X-ray fluxes at satellite altitude from proton precipitation

Abstract A sample calculation is presented of K-shell X-ray emission resulting from energetic proton precipitation into the upper atmosphere. It is found that intense fluxes of K-shell X-rays at low satellite altitudes (450 nautical miles) can result from observed fluxes of precipitating protons.
Blood coagulation and living tissue sterilization by floating-electrode dielectric barrier discharge in air

Summary form only given. Thermal plasma discharges have been widely used in the past for treatment of living human and animal tissue. However, an extensive thermal damage and tissue desiccation occur due to extreme temperatures. Some solutions have been offered where the temperature is lowered by short current pulses, addition of noble gases, or significant decrease in the size of treatment electrodes. We propose a method of direct treatment of living tissue that occurs at room temperature and pressure without visible or microscopic tissue damage. The presented floating electrode dielectric barrier discharge (FE-DBD) plasma is proven electrically safe to human subjects and reported results show no gross (visual) or histological (microscopic) damage to skin samples in minutes, complete tissue sterilization from skin flora in seconds, and blood clot formation in seconds of electric plasma treatment. We also observe significant hastening of blood clot formation via electric plasma induced catalysis of "natural" processes occurring in human blood. Reported results are indicative of selectivity of FE-DBD plasma to inactivation of various foreign micro-organisms on human tissue with little to no influence on the tissue itself. An animal model (hairless mice) will be presented where we show complete sterilization of living animal tissue without any tissue damage even though skin layer of the treated animal is significantly more sensitive than that of a human. Comparison to second animal model (pigs) will also be presented
Performing Jewish Nationhood: The Romance of a People at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair

In July 1933, thousands gathered during Chicago’s World’s Fair to witness the spectacular Zionist pageant, The Romance of a People . Boldly, The Romance figured Jewish redemption as central to humanity’s upward climb. Thus, Jews were presented in the pageant as civilizing agents, bringing Western progress to empty Eastern space.
Sibling recurrence risk in autoimmune thyroid disease

There is abundant evidence for a genetic influence on the development of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD). One measure of the magnitude of genetic contribution to the development of a disease is the sibling risk ratio (λs). Recent accurate prevalence data for hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism in the United States reported from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES III) study have now allowed us to compute the sibling recurrence risk for AITD. Patients were recruited from our endocrine clinic on the basis of having AITD. The inclusion of patients in this study was unambiguously single ascertainment. We studied 155 patients (131 with Graves' disease [GD] and 24 with Hashimoto's thyroiditis [HT]) who had reliable information on the presence or absence of AITD in siblings. Nine probands had siblings with GD and 13 probands had siblings with HT. Using the prevalence rates from NHANES III for clinical hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, the calculated λs was 16.9 for AITD, 11.6 for...
Periodic and cut-off responses for linear state-space equations†

Two problems are investigated in this paper : (1) The complete response to periodic inputs of a linear time-invariant system or time-varying system with periodically varying parameters is synthesized. When the periodic input is continuous or piecewise continuous, a computational method is established to decompose the complete response of a linear system into two components; the periodic response and the transient response. (2) For inputs which cut off at time t 1, the cut-off response of linear time-invariant or time-varying systems is also analysed. A computational method to obtain the cut-off response for such inputs is derived. Several examples which illustrate the methods are included.
Active control of a mixing layer by upstream influence from an oscillating edge

A mixing layer having finite length impinges on a downstream oscillating leading edge. Several classes of modulation of the upstream vortex development and its interaction with the edge are produced. At excitation frequencies, ƒe, relative to the inherent instability frequency (IIF), ƒ0*, of the mixing layer-edge system, there are four distinct regimes of response: (i) at low perturbation frequency, ƒe/ƒ0* All of these classes of vortex interaction are phase-locked with respect to the edge motion. Particularly noticeable is the occurrence of the largest-scale, IIF frequency vortices for ƒe/ƒ0* slightly greater than ½ and their attenuation at ƒe/ƒ0* = 1. In other words, the maximum response of this externally-excited system occurs not at the IIF of the self-excited system, but well below it. Over this range of excitation frequency ƒe/ƒ0*, new vortex-edge interactions continuously occur. This is because the upstream shear layer has been perturbed by the motion of the oscillating edge. Although the vortex-oscillating-edge interaction pattern varies with excitation frequency, it appears that the arrival of the incident vortex at the edge relative to the phase of edge position is such that the process of secondary vortex generation is, enhanced. This suggests that there is a phase relation of these events to the upstream influence on the sensitive region of the shear layer at the upstream separation, such that the vortex patterns are phase-locked.
Evaluation of Localization Attacks on Power-Modulated Challenge–Response Systems

Location information should be verifiable in order to support new computing and information services. In this paper, we adapt the classical challenge-response method for authentication to the task of verifying an entity's location. Our scheme utilizes a collection of transmitters, and adapts the power allocations across these transmitters to verify a user's claimed location. This strategy, which we call a power-modulated challenge response, is able to be used with existing. wireless sensor networks. First, we propose a direct method, where some transmitters are selected to send ldquochallengesrdquo that the claimant node should be able to witness based on its claimed location, and for which the claimant node must correctly respond to in order to prove its location. Second, we reverse the strategy by presenting an indirect method, where some transmitters send challenges that the claimant node should not be able to witness. Then, we present a signal-strength-based method, where the node responds with its received signal strength and thereby provides improved location verification. To evaluate our schemes, we examine different adversarial models for the claimant, and characterize the performance of our power-modulated challenge response schemes under these adversarial models. Further, we propose a new localization attack, where a set of nodes collaborates to pretend that there is a node at the claimed location. This collusion attack can do tremendous harm to localization and the performance of the aforementined methods under collusion attack are explained. Finally, we propose the use of a rotational directional power-modulated challenge response, where directional antennas are used to defend against collusion attacks.
Identification by modification-interference of purine N-7 and ribose 2′-OH groups critical for catalysis by bacterial ribonuclease P

The RNA subunit of bacterial ribonuclease P is a catalytic RNA that cleaves precursor tRNAs to generate mature tRNA 59 ends. A self-cleaving RNase P RNA‐substrate conjugate was used in modification-interference analysis to identify purine N-7 and ribose 29-hydroxyl functional groups that are critical to catalysis. We identify six adenine N-7 groups and only one 29-hydroxyl that, when substituted with 7-deazaadenine or 29-deoxy analogues, respectively, reduce the RNase P catalytic rate approximately 10-fold at pH 8 and limiting concentration of magnesium. Two sites of low-level interference by phosphorothioate modification were detected in addition to the four sites of strong interference documented previously. These modification-interference results, the absolute phylogenetic conservation of these functional groups in bacterial RNase P RNA, their proximity to the substrate‐phosphate in the tertiary structure of the ribozyme‐substrate complex, and the importance of some of the sites for binding of catalytic magnesium all implicate these functional groups as components of the RNase P active site. Five of the 7-deazaadenine interferences are suppressed at pH 6, where the hydrolytic step is rate-limiting, or at saturating concentrations of magnesium. We propose, therefore, that these base functional groups are specifically engaged in the catalytic center of RNase P RNA, possibly by involvement in magnesium-dependent folding. One 7-deazaadenine interference and one 29-deoxyinterference, although partially suppressed at pH 6, are not suppressed at saturating magnesium concentrations. This implicates these groups in magnesium-independent folding of the catalytic substructure of the ribozyme.