cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cationic Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37 Is Effective against both Extra- and Intracellular Staphylococcus aureus

The increasing resistance of bacteria to conventional antibiotics and the challenges posed by intracellular bacteria, which may be responsible for chronic and recurrent infections, have driven the need for advanced antimicrobial drugs for effective elimination of both extra- and intracellular pathogens. The purpose of this study was to determine the killing efficacy of cationic antimicrobial peptide LL-37 compared to conventional antibiotics against extra- and intracellular Staphylococcus aureus. Bacterial killing assays and an infection model of osteoblasts and S. aureus were studied to determine the bacterial killing efficacy of LL-37 and conventional antibiotics against extra- and intracellular S. aureus. We found that LL-37 was effective in killing extracellular S. aureus at nanomolar concentrations, while lactoferricin B was effective at micromolar concentrations and doxycycline and cefazolin at millimolar concentrations. LL-37 was surprisingly more effective in killing the clinical strain than in killing an ATCC strain of S. aureus. Moreover, LL-37 was superior to conventional antibiotics in eliminating intracellular S. aureus. The kinetic studies further revealed that LL-37 was fast in eliminating both extra- and intracellular S. aureus. Therefore, LL-37 was shown to be very potent and prompt in eliminating both extra- and intracellular S. aureus and was more effective in killing extra- and intracellular S. aureus than commonly used conventional antibiotics. LL-37 could potentially be used to treat chronic and recurrent infections due to its effectiveness in eliminating not only extracellular but also intracellular pathogens.
Hydrothermal chemistry of vanadium oxides with aromatic di- and tri-phosphonates in the presence of secondary metal copper(II) cationic complex subunits

The hydrothermal chemistry of the copper-organonitrogen ligand/vanadium oxide/aromatic phosphonate system has been studied. Not only was HF required to induce crystallization, but product composition was highly dependent on the HF/V ratio of the reactions. At relatively low concentrations of HF/V of 6:1, materials of the Cu(II)-ligand/VxOy/organophosphonate type were observed, namely, [{Cu(phen)}2V2O5(O3PC6H4PO3)] (1), [Cu(phen)VO2(HO3PC6H4PO3)] (2), [{Cu(terpy)}2V2O5(O3PC6H4PO3)] (3), [{Cu(phen)(H2O)}VO2(HO3PC6H4PO3)] (6), [{Cu(phen)}VO2(HO3PC6H4PO3)] (7a and 7b), [Cu(C5H4NCO2)2V2O4(HO3PC6H4POH3)] (8), [Cu(bpy)VO2 {(HO3P)3C6H3}]·1.5H2O (12·1.5H2O), [{Cu(bpy)}2V3O7{(O3P)2C6H3PO3H}] (13) and [Cu(phen)V3O6(H2O){(O3P)2C6H3(PO3H)}] (14). When the HF concentration was raised, materials incorporating fluoride anion were observed; that is, compounds of the Cu(II)-ligand/VxOyFz/organophosphonate type: [{Cu(bpa)}2VO2F(H2O)(O3PC6H4PO3)]·H2O (4), [{Cu(bpa)}2V2O4F2(O3PC6H4PO3)] (5), [{Cu(bpy)}2V2O4F2(O3PC6H4PO3)] (9), [{Cu(terpy)}2V3O6F(HO3PC6H4PO3)2] (10), [{Cu(bpa)}2V2O4F2(O3PC6H4PO3)] (11). At HF/V concentrations of 25:1 or greater, vanadium free products, Cu(II) ligand/organophosphonate, were obtained: [Cu(C5H4NCO2)2(H2O3PC6H4PO3H2)]·H2O (15·H2O), [Cu(C5H4NCO2)2(H2O3PC6H4PO3H2)] (16), [Cu(bpy)(H2O){(HO3P)2C6H3(PO3H2)}] (17), [Cu(bpy){(HO3P)2C6H3(PO3H2)}]·H2O (18·H2O), [Cu(phen){(H2O3P)C6H3(PO3H)2}]·2H2O (19·2H2O) and [Cu(bpa){H2O3PC6H3(PO3H)2}]·H2O (20·H2O). The structural chemistry is unusually diverse with the Cu(II) ligand/VxOy/organophosphonate series exhibiting one-, two- and three-dimensional structures with a variety of copper-vanadate and vanadophosphonate substructures. The structural chemistry is discussed in relation to other examples of materials of the Cu(II) ligand/VxOy/organophosphonate and Cu(II) ligand/VxOyFz/organophosphonate families.
Metaphor and Maṇḍala in Shingon Buddhist Theology

Buddhist maṇḍala that are made of colored sand or are painted on cloth have been well represented in Asian art circles in the West. Discussions of the role that they can play in stimulating religious contemplation or even as sacred icons charged with power have also appeared in English scholarship. The metaphorical meaning of the term maṇḍala, however, is less commonly referenced. This paper discusses how the founder of the Japanese school of Shingon Buddhism, the Buddhist monk Kūkai of the ninth century, uses this term in a metaphorical sense to convey the transformed nature of awareness that is the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice. Emphasis is also placed on the importance of metaphorical thinking to the religious path of transformation itself.
A period (per)-like protein exhibits daily rhythmicity in the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the rat

Abstract The period (per) gene of Drosophila melanogaster is considered an important biological clock gene, since it regulates multiple behavioral rhythms. Per mRNA and protein exhibit circadian rhythms in the fruitfly brain and these rhythms appear to influence each other through a feedback loop. More recently, using the same antibody as was used in the Drosophila studies, PER-like proteins were detected in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of male rats. This region of the brain is considered to be a major neural circadian pacemaker in mammals. The purpose of this study was to confirm that PER-like proteins are detectable in the SCN of female rats and to determine whether PER-like proteins exhibit a circadian rhythm. Female rats were killed at several times of day under both light/dark and constant conditions. Using the same anti-PER antibody in Western blots with Enhanced Chemiluminescence (Western-ECL) detection, the levels of the PER-like proteins were quantified in the SCN and cerebral cortex. The antibody identified a doublet band of approximately 170-160 kDa and a single band at 115 kDa. Of the three PER-like proteins only the largest exhibited a daily rhythm in the SCN, which peaked in the middle of the dark and attained its nadir around lights off; levels during the light were intermediate with a tendency towards a second drop around lights on. This rhythm did not persist under constant dim red light. The data demonstrate that an antigen similar to PER exhibits a daily rhythm in the pacemaker region of the rat brain and suggest that it may play a role in the maintenance of 24-h rhythmicity in mammals.
A uniqueness result concerning a robust regularized least-squares solution

In solving a robust version of regularized least squares with weighting, a certain scalar-valued optimization problem is required in order to determine the regularized robust solution and the corresponding robustified weighting parameters. This letter establishes that the required optimization problem does not have local, non-global minima over the interval of interest. This property is proved by resorting to a useful Schur complementation argument. The result is reassuring in that it demonstrates that the robust design procedure is well defined and that its optimal global solution can be determined without concerns about local minima.
Deformation Studies of Polymers by Time-Resolved Infrared Spectroscopy IV: A Modified Approach

Recent studies have demonstrated how effective the time-resolved Fourier transform spectroscopic technique is in obtaining dynamic information about microstructural change in the millisecond time scale. In this current study, the time efficiency of the method has been improved by the development of a scheme implementing the use of a separate microprocessor to maintain synchronization between the interferometer movement and the external event. This method eliminates the need for accurate external timing circuits and their interface to the FT-IR. Therefore, data collection software of the FT-IR system need not be modified as in previous cases.
Developmental changes in cerebral white matter microstructure in a disorder of lysosomal storage

The goal of this work was to study white matter (WM) integrity in children with cystinosis, a rare lysosomal storage disorder resulting in cystine accumulation in peripheral and central nervous system tissue. Based on previous reports of cystine crystal formation in myelin precursors as well as evidence for specific cognitive deficits in visuospatial functioning, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was applied to 24 children with cystinosis (age 3-7 years) and to 24 typically developing age-matched controls. Scalar diffusion indices, fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD), were examined in manually defined regions of interest within the parietal and inferior temporal lobes. Diffusion indices were correlated with performance on measures of visuospatial cognition and with white blood cell cystine levels. Bilaterally decreased FA and increased MD were evident in the inferior and superior parietal lobules in children with cystinosis, with comparable FA and MD to controls in inferior temporal WM, and implicate a dissociation of the dorsal and ventral visual pathways. In older cystinosis children (age>5), diminutions in visuospatial performance were associated with reduced FA in the right inferior parietal lobule. In addition, increased MD was found in the presence of high cystine levels in all children with cystinosis. This study provides new information that the average diffusion properties in children with cystinosis deviate from typically developing children. Findings suggest the presence of early microstructural WM changes in addition to a secondary effect of cystine accumulation. These alterations may impact the development of efficient fiber networks important for visuospatial cognition.
Lymphocyte-derived chemotactic factor production by neonatal lymphocytes.

Summary: We examined neonatal lymphocyte production of the lymphokine, lymphocyte-derived chemotactic factor (LDCF). Supernatants from 10 neonatal lymphocyte cultures were paired with the supernatants from 10 adult lymphocyte cultures. Chemotactic activity was defined as the number of adult monocytes migrating toward phytohemagglutinin-stimulated supernatants minus the number of monocytes migrating toward nonstimulated control supernatants using a blind well chamber assay. Eight of the 10 neonatal lymphocyte cultures produced LDCF and five of the 10 adult lymphocyte cultures showed LDCF activity. The mean number of monocytes migrating toward neonatal supernatants was 13.0 ± 1.5 and toward adult supernatants was 14.1 ± 2.1. To determine if a quantitative difference in LDCF production did exist, six additional experiments were performed assaying multiple dilutions of supernatants. No evidence was found for a quantitative difference in neonatal LDCF production compared to adult production. Our studies show that neonatal mononuclear cells are functionally as competent as adult mononuclear cells to produce LDCF in response to a mitogen challenge.
Perceived parental acceptance and early adolescent self-competence

Relationships between perceived parental acceptance and adolescent self-competence were examined in 214 sixth- and seventh-grade students by both adolescent and parental gender. Results indicated that for boys, paternal but not maternal, acceptance significantly predicted self-competence, while the opposite pattern was found for girls. In addition, self-worth significantly predicted maternal and paternal acceptance for both boys and girls. The consistency of these findings with current models of human development is discussed, along with their implications for research.
Videokeratography after excimer laser in situ keratomileusis for myopia.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to define qualitative patterns of videokeratography after excimer laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for myopia and to identify associations of videokeratography patterns with clinical variables. Design Single-center, retrospective, cohort study. Participants One hundred twenty-six eyes of 68 patients with myopia who desired surgical correction of myopia ranging from −1.50 to −8.80 diopters. Intervention Myopia was corrected with LASIK using a Summit OmniMed/Apex excimer laser. Computer-assisted videokeratography data were acquired at 3 months after primary LASIK, and associations of videokeratography pattern with clinical variable were assessed. Main outcome measures Seven subgroup ablation zone patterns were characterized using tangential curvature maps; these subgroups were combined into pooled symmetric and asymmetric groups. Associations with age, attempted correction, single-zone or multizone ablation, postoperative uncorrected and spectacle-corrected visual acuity, predictability, astigmatism, corneal uniformity, glare disability, and contrast sensitivity were analyzed. Results Thirty-two eyes (25.4%) showed a uniform pattern, 14 eyes (11.1%) showed a bow-tie pattern, 22 eyes (17.5%) showed a peninsula pattern, 22 eyes (17.5%) showed a semicircular pattern, 22 eyes (17.5%) showed an off-center blue spot pattern, 10 eyes (7.9%) showed an irregular pattern, and 4 eyes (3.2%) showed a central island pattern. Spectacle-corrected visual acuity, astigmatism, corneal uniformity, glare disability, and contrast sensitivity were significantly related to videokeratography pattern, although the difference among videokeratography groups was clinically small. Age, attempted correction, single- or multizone ablation, and postoperative uncorrected visual acuity and predictability were not predictive of videokeratography pattern. Conclusions Most eyes in this study had an asymmetric videokeratography pattern 3 months after LASIK. Small but statistically significant differences were identified among the videokeratography patterns that potentially may affect postoperative quality of vision.
Parent Involvement: Barriers and Opportunities.

This article explores the issues of parental involvement in the context of current movements to reform education. It asserts that parent involvement as a voluntary effort may not be effective. It further asserts that in their efforts to reform education businesses and industries are focusing too much attention on school related variables and insufficient importance on work-related variables that might act as reinforcers for parents and adults to get involved in the education of the children. Businesses and industries as well as schools are urged to establish sound and well-integrated policies for parental involvement.
Lattice distortion effects on topological phases in (LaNiO 3 ) 2 /(LaAlO 3 ) N heterostructures grown along the [111] direction

We theoretically investigate the influence of lattice distortion effects on possible topological phases in (LaNiO${}_{3}$)${}_{2}$/(LaAlO${}_{3}$)${}_{N}$ heterostructures grown along the [111] direction. At the Hartree-Fock level, topological phases originate from an interaction-generated effective spin-orbit coupling that opens a gap in the band structure. For the unstrained system, there is a quadratic band touching at the $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$ point at the Fermi energy for spin-unpolarized electrons and Dirac points at K, K${}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ at the Fermi energy for fully spin-polarized electrons. Using density functional theory we first show that the quadratic band touching and Dirac points are remarkably stable to internal strain-induced out-of-plane distortions and rotations of the oxygen octahedra, which we compute. The lack of a gap opening implies that the mean-field predictions for topological phases for both the polarized and unpolarized systems are little affected by internal strain and lattice relaxations. On the other hand, we also discuss two types of lattice distortions, which have an important effect on the electronic structure. First, an external strain imposed along the [001] cubic direction can open a gap at the $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$ point, thereby stabilizing a trivial insulating phase in the spin-unpolarized system. However, it leaves the Dirac points intact. As a result, the Hartree-Fock calculation for an effective model using parameters relevant to LaNiO${}_{3}$ finds that symmetry-breaking strain favors a phase with polarized orbitals and antiferromagnetic spin order, but leaves earlier predictions for a zero-magnetic field topological quantum Hall state essentially unchanged. Second, we identify a possible breathing distortion of the oxygen cages stabilized by correlation effects. Such a distortion opens a gap at the Dirac points and we demonstrate that it would compete with the topological phase in the fully spin-polarized system. Taken together, our results suggest that distortion effects in thin films grown along the [111] direction in perovskites have rather different consequences as compared to those grown along [001].
Mobility Through Piracy, or How Steven Seagal Got to Malawi

Malawi presents a fascinating case study for global media flows: a country full of American product, with much of it there because of an informal economy, and, conversely, little of it there because of any effort on Hollywood's part to develop Malawi as a market. This article therefore draws from ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Malawi during the summers of 2008 and 2010 to examine the circulation of foreign film and television and to detail a form of media mobility through piracy.
Aerosol delivery in ventilated newborn pigs: An MRI evaluation

Pulmonary deposition of inhaled drugs in ventilated neonates has not been studied in vivo. The objective of this study was to evaluate pulmonary delivery of gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA) following nebulization in ventilated piglets using magnetic resonance imaging. Seven ventilated piglets (5 +/- 2 d old, weight 1.8 +/- 0.5 kg) were scanned in the Bruker/Siemens 4T magnetic resonance scanner using T1 weighted spin-echo sequence. Aerosols of Gd-DTPA were generated continuously using the MiniHeart jet nebulizer. Breath-hold coronal images were obtained before and every 10 min during aerosolized Gd-DTPA for 90 min. Signal intensity (SI) changes over the lungs, kidneys, liver, skeletal muscle, and heart were evaluated. A significant increase in SI was observed in the lungs, kidney, and liver at 10, 20, and 40 min respectively after start of aerosol. At the end of 90 min, the SI increased by 95%, 101%, and 426% over the right lung, left lung, and kidney, respectively. A much smaller increase in SI was observed over the liver. In conclusion, we have demonstrated effective pulmonary aerosol delivery within 10 min of contrast nebulization in ventilated piglets. Contrast visualization in the kidneys within 20 min of aerosol initiation reflects alveolar absorption, glomerular filtration and renal concentration.
Regional multiresource models in a national framework

The design and integration of models projecting the effects of management on environmental systems is one step in the environmental planning process. Interactions between resources produced on the same unit of land under current and future management can be examined only when assumptions and processes of these dynamic environmental systems are quantified. Multiresource interaction models have generally been large and cumbersome while also suffering from an inadequate amount of detail. This article presents a conceptual framework for integrating individual resource models to project multiresource interactions at a regional scale. Land management impact projections require common definitions of the total land base and common definitions of management activities applied to the same land unit. A case example focusing on the resources of timber, forage, wildlife, fish, and water for the southern United States is presented.
A FACTOR ANALYTIC STUDY OF WPPSI SCORES OF EDUCATIONALLY DEPRIVED AND NORMAL. CHILDREN

Summary.-The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence was administered to 372 children, one group being educationally deprived and the other normal, all being Caucasian. Factor analysis showed a three-factor struccure: Verbal, Performance, and Picture Completion. There were no significant differences in factor structure of the two groups, suggesting similarity of factor structutes. Apparently, the homogeneity of groups on cultural and demographic variables outweighed their arbiuary assignment to differential educational experiences on the basis of existing Title I definitions of educational deprivation. This study investigated the factor structure of intelligence for two groups of children, described as educationally deprived and as normal. The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) was used, but the Mazes subtest was not included since, as has been noted by Sattler (1974), this subtest requires considerable judgment in scoring and is largely subjective. Subjects were 372 children (mean age 4-11) from nine public and three parochial schools. Of these children, 118 were designated as "educationally deprived as defined under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Potential role for nonesterified fatty acids in β-adrenoceptor-induced increases in brain tryptophan

Abstract We tested the hypothesis that β 2 - and β 3 -adrenergic receptor-mediated increases in brain tryptophan are due to the liberation of fatty acids, which in turn displace tryptophan from its albumin-binding site and thus facilitate its entry into the brain. Male CD-1 mice were injected with subtype-selective β-adrenergic agonists 1 h before brain samples were collected for analysis of tryptophan content by HPLC with electrochemical detection, and blood samples were collected for analysis of total and free tryptophan and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations. The β 2 -selective agonist, clenbuterol (0.1 mg/kg), increased concentrations of tryptophan in all brain regions studied and decreased plasma total tryptophan, but had no effect on plasma free tryptophan or NEFAs. The β 3 -selective agonists, BRL 37344 (0.2 mg/kg) or CL 316243 (0.01 mg/kg), increased brain tryptophan, plasma NEFAs and free tryptophan. Pretreatment with nicotinic acid (500 mg/kg), an inhibitor of lipolysis, almost completely prevented the increase in plasma free tryptophan and NEFAs, and attenuated the increase in brain tryptophan induced by CL 316243. These results suggest that β 2 - and β 3 -adrenergic agonists increase brain tryptophan by a mechanism other than the liberation of NEFAs. Nonetheless, β 3 -adrenergic agonists appear to increase brain tryptophan by a mechanism that may depend partially on elevations of plasma NEFAs.
Utilization of S-10 & S-20 Image Orthicon Systems for Radiometric Measurements

Measurement of the radiation produced by a hypersonic body during re-entry into the earth's atmosphere is' receiving attention under several experimental programs. Imaging radiometers are applicable to this requirement. This type of instrument provides spacial resolution as necessary for individual measurement of closely spaced multiple point sources and for measurement of line source intensity, gradients. Evaluation of S-10 and S-20 image orthicon tubes, in the radiometric application, has been performed. Quantitative results of test's defining radiometric response, resolution, and calibration stability are described, along with a comparison of S-10 and S-20 capabilities.
Fasting FDG PET compared to MPI SPECT in cardiac sarcoidosis.

Introduction. Cardiac involvement occurs in a significant minority (5%-30%) of patients with sarcoidosis and can have a benign or life-threatening course. Clinical manifestations include conduction abnormalities, ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias, valvular dysfunction, and heart failure. 1 The diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis is often difficult to make, and is suggested by relatively nonspecific findings such as electrocardiographic abnormalities (particularly heart block) or abnormalities in left ventricular function. Endomyocardial biopsy, while providing improved specificity, is invasive and has poor sensitivity. Initial strategies using nuclear imaging techniques such as gallium or myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) demonstrated relatively poor sensitivity and specificity for cardiac sarcoidosis. Recently, FDG (F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose) positron emission tomography (PET), performed under fasting conditions, has been shown to have improved sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis compared to other modalities. A case of a 73-year-old man with known pulmonary sarcoidosis and multiple coronary risk factors who presented with a new cardiomyopathy is presented in this study. Initial evaluation with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) technetium 99m (Tc-99m) tetrofosmin MPI strongly suggested an ischemic etiology. Subsequent coronary angiography and FDG PET, however, was consistent with cardiac sarcoidosis, highlighting the potential value of PET imaging in the evaluation of suspected cardiac sarcoidosis. Case report. A 73-year-old man with a history of biopsy-proven stage I pulmonary sarcoidosis presented with acute respiratory failure. His past medical history included sarcoidosis, diabetes mellitus, end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis, and atrial fibrillation. The patient was diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis approximately 30 years ago by routine chest x-ray. He underwent a lung biopsy at that time that was positive for granulomatous inflammation consistent with sarcoidosis. He was asymptomatic until approximately 1 month prior to admission at which time developed worsening dyspnea on exertion. This progressed to shortness of breath at rest which prompted him to seek medical attention.
Physically based modeling and simulation of climate and climatic change

The motivation for this North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Advanced Study Institute (ASI) came from the fact that a hierarchy of physically based mathematical models of the earth's climate has been and is being developed to quantitatively investigate the earth's past, present, and potential future climates. These models are currently being applied, for example, to understand the causes of the ice ages that have occurred with a period of about 100,000 years during the last million years, to study the predictability of climate on the time scale of 1-3 months (with particular attention on the worldwide El Nino phenomena), and to project the potential climatic consequences of the increasing concentration of atmospheric CO2 and other trace gases. These studies are showing great potential toward the development of a comprehensive theory of climate. However, the development, testing, and application of mathematical climate models requires the dedicated efforts of an increasing number of specially trained and highly motivated scientists. The objective of the AS1 was to provide this training and motivation through a course taught by internationally recognized experts on physically based modeling and simulation of climate and climatic change.
Photosensitivity to musk ambrette

Photosensitivity to musk ambrette was confirmed in 15 men previously photopatch tested and in a further 4 men currently attending the clinic. 6 of the recalled patients continued to react adversely to sunlight due either to unrecognised exposure to musk ambrette or to their having become persistent light reactors. Positive photopatch tests, possibly cross reactions, were seen in 3 of the 19 patients with the structurally-related nitromusks, moskene and musk xylene but not with musks ketone and tibetine. Musk ambrette elicited a positive patch test without light in 3 of the 19 patients.
Looking back and glimpsing forward: publication topics in Industrial–Organizational psychology and Organizational Behavior

Industrial–Organizational (I-O) psychology and Organizational Behavior (OB) researchers have periodically reviewed the literature to identify interesting trends and address-specific research questions. We sought to build upon these previous reviews by conducting two studies—a content analysis of the topics and authors from I-O and OB articles published in 2012 (i.e., a look back) and a survey of editorial board members about potential developments in these two fields (i.e., a glimpse forward). Using these two perspectives, we identified some areas within I-O and OB research that remain popular (e.g., research methodology and psychometric issues, predictors of performance, and work motivation and attitudes), others that continue to emerge (e.g., leadership, diversity, work groups and teams), and some that may be increasingly relevant in the future (e.g., technology). We also noted a relatively small number of practitioners who authored peer-reviewed journal articles and a growing number of authors who are affiliated with non-U.S.-based institutions. These findings correspond with trends from previous reviews of the literature and may have implications for these fields.
Expectations and Realizations: The Role of Expectancies in Achievement Settings

High expectancies of success are widely assumed to have positive effects on performance in achievement situations. However, previous investigations have tended to ignore task difficulty or assume that expectancies affect performance in a linear fashion. In two investigations, we found that (a) expectancies were more closely related to performance at difficult tasks than easy tasks and (b) low expectancies produced the poorest levels of performance, but moderate and high expectancies were equally advantageous. The practical, methodological, and theoretical implications of these findings are considered.
Automated star/galaxy discrimination with neural networks

Many of today’s most relevant astrophysical problems concerning galactic structure and dynamics, environmental effects on galaxy formation and maintenance, and the large-scale distribution of matter in the Universe are approached in a statistical fashion using deep surveys of stars and galaxies over large areas of the sky. Some of the deepest and most complete galaxy catalogs such as those by Shane & Wirtanen (1967), Zwicky et al. (1961–1968), and Nilson (1973) have been compiled through visual inspection of photographic surveys. More recent efforts by Dickey et al. (1987), Heydon-Dumbleton et al. (1989), Slezak et al. (1988) and Rhee (1990) have used fast scanning machines and automated image detection and classification techniques to compile galaxy catalogs in specific areas of the sky.
A statewide medical information system

Abstract It is premature to look for a state-wide medical information system. Inherent in such a project are the following major social questions: absence of a simple explanation of the purpose of such a system; protection of personal privacy; justification for the depersonalization of automated systems; and the necessarily great financial costs. Technical obstacles include: absence of good patient identification; poor medical terminology; unknown problems of very big, complex files; and computer hardware unreliability. These difficulties suggest that single function, multi-computer networking may be a more appropriate conceptual model than the traditional large computer scheme.
Diabetes Self-management in a Latino Social Environment

Purpose : The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study w as to explore the socio-cultural influences and social context associated with living with type 2 d iabetes among rural, migrant Latino adults. Methods : A qualitative descriptive study using grounded theo ry techniques was conducted. In-depth semistructured interviews were completed with ten parti cipants (6 female and 4 male) ranging in age from 46-65 years and duration of diabetes diagnosis ranging from 1.5- 40 years. Results :
COMPUTING MINKOWSKI SUMS OF PLANE CURVES

The Minkowski sum of two plane curves can be regarded as the area generated by sweeping one curve along the other. The boundary of the Minkowski sum consists of translated portions of the given curves and/or portions of a more complicated curve, the “envelope” of translates of the swept curve. We show that the Minkowski-sum boundary is describable as an algebraic curve (or subset thereof) when the given curves are algebraic, and illustrate the computation of its implicit equation. However, such equations are typically of high degree and do not offer a practical basis for tracing the boundary. For the case of polynomial parametric curves, we formulate a simple numerical procedure to address the latter problem, based on constructing the Gauss maps of the given curves and using them to identifying “corresponding” curve segments that are to be summed. This yields a set of discretely-sampled arcs that constitutes a superset of the Minkowski-sum boundary, and can be regarded as a planar graph. To extract the true boundary, we present a method for identifying and “trimming” away extraneous arcs by systematically traversing this graph.
MECHANISM FOR BLOATER FORMATION IN BRINED CUCUMBERS

The susceptibility of pickling cucumbers to bloater damage during storage in CO2-charged brine depended upon the internal gas composition of the cucumbers before brining. Gas extracted from fresh cucumbers consisted of about 75% N2, 20% O2, and 6.0% CO2. Replacement of that gas with CO2 or O2, reduced the susceptibility of the fruit to bloater damage upon subsequent storage in carbonated brine. Bloater damage was related directly to % N2 and inversely to % CO2 in the internal gas of the cucumbers when they were brined. These and other findings are the basis of the following mechanism we propose to explain bloater formation of cucumbers in brine containing CO2. When cucumbers are brined, liquid clogs the intercellular gas spaces of the tissues that normally permit rapid diffusion of gases in fresh cucumbers. The liquid-clogged layer encloses the internal gases within the fruit and functions as a differentially permeable barrier to N2 and CO2. Since N2 is the predominant gas within the fresh fruit, and since CO2 concentration in the brine is high, a diffusion gradient for CO2 exists toward the fruit interior. CO2, which is much more water soluble than N2, diffuses from the brine into the fruit faster than N2 can diffuse from the fruit. Ultimately, the transfer of CO2 to the fruit interior results in sufficient internal gas pressure due to CO2 plus N2 to rupture the flesh, causing a gas pocket (bloater formation).
Effect of cobalt-60 gamma radiation on the determination of uranium(IV) in phosphoric acid solutions of uranium(iv) oxide

Abstract The effect of 60Co γ-radiation on aerated and deaerated phosphoric acid solutions of uranium(IV) oxide (UO2) was studied as a function of temperature, concentration of UO2, and radiation dose rate. The effect was measured in terms of the radiolytic yield of uranium(VI),GuVI. For solutions of high initial UO2 concentration, Gu(VI) is largest for the aerated solutions at 25°; it is lowest for the deaerated solutions at 140°. The Gu(VI) is lower for the solution of low initial UO2 concentration than for any of the solutions of high initial UO2 concentration. At the high starting UO2 concentration, the initial Gu(VI) values are always higher than the succeeding values; this effect is attributed to the depletion of oxygen originally present in the solution. Gamma radiation causes an error in the determination of the stoichiometry of UO2; the error is a function of the radiation dose. This error can be minimized by excluding oxygen from solutions of UO2 and by keeping the initial UO2 concentration as low as possible.
Unveiling Stability Criteria of DNA-Carbon Nanotubes Constructs by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Computational Modeling

We present a combined approach that relies on computational simulations and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) measurements to reveal morphological properties and stability criteria of carbon nanotube-DNA (CNT-DNA) constructs. Application of STM allows direct observation of very stable CNT-DNA hybrid structures with the well-defined DNA wrapping angle of 63.4° and a coiling period of 3.3 nm. Using force field simulations, we determine how the DNA-CNT binding energy depends on the sequence and binding geometry of a single strand DNA. This dependence allows us to quantitatively characterize the stability of a hybrid structure with an optimal π-stacking between DNA nucleotides and the tube surface and better interpret STM data. Our simulations clearly demonstrate the existence of a very stable DNA binding geometry for (6,5) CNT as evidenced by the presence of a well-defined minimum in the binding energy as a function of an angle between DNA strand and the nanotube chiral vector. This novel approach demonstrates the feasibility of CNT-DNA geometry studies with subnanometer resolution and paves the way towards complete characterization of the structural and electronic properties of drug-delivering systems based on DNA-CNT hybrids as a function of DNA sequence and a nanotube chirality.
CRITICAL INCIDENTS IN TOURISM: FAILURE, RECOVERY, CUSTOMER SWITCHING, AND WORD‐OF‐MOUTH BEHAVIORS

As an evolving area of academic investigation, service failure and recovery research is particularly relevant in the tourism field but research is still lacking. This study identifies and classifies commonly experienced service failures and recovery strategies as perceived by tourism customers that result in overall (dis)satisfying encounters. The effectiveness of service recovery strategies is assessed via behavioral responses. Specifically, switching behaviors of (dis)satisfied consumers, the extent of word‐of‐mouth engaged in, and its valence are investigated.
Simulation evaluation of a pilot interface with an automated rotorcraft obstacle avoidance system

Pilot interface with an automated nap-of-the-earth (NOE) rotorcraft guidance and control system was investigated in the NASA Ames Research Center's fixed-base Interchangeable Cab (ICAB) simulator facility. The interface concept, referred to as pilot-directed guidance (PDG), involves interpreting pilot inputs as high-level commands to an inner-loop automatic guidance and control system. With this interface, a pilot can concentrate upon primary course guidance and secondary cockpit tasks by delegating obstacle detection and avoidance tasks to an automatic system. An advantage of the PDG concept is that it allows far continuous pilot interaction which has been shown to be important for pilot acceptability. The paper first describes the inner loop Automated Nap-of-the-Earth Guidance and Control System (ANGCS) and the associated PDG interface, followed by the findings from the fixed-base simulation. The simulation was designed to assess pilot-in-the-loop performance of the PDG-ANGCS technology and determine its effectiveness at reducing pilot workload. Head-up symbology, including inertial course information and critical aircraft states, was presented to the pilot through the Integrated Helmet and Display Sighting System (IHADSS) with head tracking. A typical NOE obstacle course was flown both manually and with the PDG system at various airspeeds and visibility conditions for a comparative performance and workload study. >
Glycogen content in the cerebral cortex increases with sleep loss in C57BL/6J mice.

We hypothesized that a function of sleep is to replenish brain glycogen stores that become depleted while awake. We have previously tested this hypothesis in three inbred strains of mice by measuring brain glycogen after a 6 h sleep deprivation (SD). Unexpectedly, glycogen content in the cerebral cortex did not decrease with SD in two of the strains and was even found to increase in mice of the C57BL/6J (B6) strain. Manipulations that initially induce glycogenolysis can also induce subsequent glycogen synthesis thereby elevating glycogen content beyond baseline. It is thus possible that in B6 mice, cortical glycogen content decreased early during SD and became elevated later in SD. In the present study, we therefore measured changes in brain glycogen over the course of a 6 h SD and during recovery sleep in B6 mice. We found no evidence of a decrease at any time during the SD, instead, cortical glycogen content monotonically increased with time-spent-awake and, when sleep was allowed, started to revert to control levels. Such a time-course is opposite to the one predicted by our initial hypothesis. These results demonstrate that glycogen synthesis can be achieved during prolonged wakefulness to the extent that it outweighs glycogenolysis. Maintaining this energy store seems thus not to be functionally related to sleep in this strain.
Social Media: A Phenomenon to be Analyzed:

The phenomenon of “social media” has more to do with its cultural positioning than its technological affordances. Rooted in the broader “Web 2.0” landscape, social media helped engineers, entrepreneurs, and everyday people reimagine the role that technology could play in information dissemination, community development, and communication. While the technologies invoked by the phrase social media have a long history, what unfolded in the 2000s reconfigured socio-technical practices in significant ways. Reflecting on the brief history of social media, this essay argues for the need to better understand this phenomenon.
Cytokines regulating hematopoietic stem cell function

Purpose of review Regulation of the multiple fates of hematopoietic stem cells – including quiescence, self-renewal, differentiation, apoptosis, and mobilization from the niche – requires the cooperative actions of several cytokines and other hormones that bind to receptors on these cells. In this review we discuss recent advances in the identification of novel hematopoietic stem cell supportive cytokines and the mechanisms by which they control hematopoietic stem cell fate decisions.
A phase I trial of continuously infused intratumoral bleomycin for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma multiforme.

Summary Intratumoral (IT) chemotherapy has theoretical advantages in the treatment of brain tumors. The blood–brain barrier is not a factor in drug delivery, and large concentrations of drug can be instilled in the tumor with little systemic toxicity. Bleomycin has activity against gliomas and is a cell cycle selective agent whose efficacy should be enhanced by continuous infusion. We performed a phase I trial to test the feasibility of IT chemotherapy using a refillable, sustained release device, and to determine the maximum tolerable dose of IT bleomycin. The study was an openended dose escalation study. A modified Ommaya reservoir (containing a semipermeable membrane) was implanted with the delivery tube in the center of the tumor. Groups of three patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme were entered at progressively higher dose levels of bleomycin. The study closed when all patients at a given starting dose level developed toxicity. Nine patients received doses ranging from 5 to 34 U/wk; the median total cumulative dose was 195 U. No dose limiting systemic toxicity was detected. Neurologic toxicity occurred only at doses above 16 U/wk. We conclude that continuously infused IT bleomycin is well tolerated; the MTD (and recommended dose for a phase II efficacy trial) of IT bleomycin is 16 U/wk.
An in-silico approach for drug repositioning to tumour anti-migration using an integrated genomic strategy

Cell migration is a key step for deterioration of many in situ or metastasis malignant tumours. Tumour anti-migration is a promising strategy to treat cancer, but corresponding drugs developed under such a strategy are still in dire poverty, partly due to the lengthly process of drug trials and approval required by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Given there are thousands of FDA approved drugs in the market, we believe that drug repositioning may provide a fast and cost-effective way to identify potential anti-migration drugs. In this paper, an in-silico drug screening method using a genomic strategy is proposed for the goal, in which genomic signature identification combined with support vector machine modelling is adopted to estimate drug efficacy. And a high-throughput, sensitive, 3-dimensional invasion assay by quantitative bioluminescence imaging proved the performance of proposed method on in vitro disease models.
Development and testing of a clinical tool measuring self-management of heart failure.

Abstract Background: Self-management is a primary goal of treatment for heart failure. Yet no measure of self-management in this patient group currently exists. Objectives: To develop a clinically useful measure of the abilities of patients with heart failure to manage their disease. Self-management in this context was defined as a cognitive decision-making process undertaken in response to signs and symptoms of heart failure. A panel of experts agreed that the process involved 4 distinct stages: recognizing a change, evaluating the change, implementing a treatment strategy, and evaluating the treatment. The tool was developed to reflect this process. Methods: Face validity of the process model was assessed in a sample of 25 patients with heart failure and used to develop a 65-item tool with 6 subscales. The subscales measure the 4 stages as well as the patients’ ease in evaluating the signs and symptoms and their self-efficacy. The tool was pilot tested with 2 samples of patients with heart failure (N = 17; N = 129). Psychometrics of the final tool were then tested in a sample of 127 patients with heart failure. Results: Face and content validity of the tool were demonstrated adequately through this study. Internal consistency scores of the 6 subscales of the Self-Management of Heart Failure instrument ranged from 0.79 (ease of evaluating treatment) to 0.92 (evaluating the change). Reliability could not be calculated for 1 subscale (evaluating the treatment) because of missing data that resulted from patients skipping sections because they had not experienced a symptom. Conclusion: Clinicians interested in evaluating the self-management abilities of their patients with heart failure are encouraged to use this tool and to contribute to additional testing. (Heart Lung® 2000;29:4-12)
CD4+ T Cell Responses to Interleukin-2 Administration in HIV-Infected Patients Are Directly Related to the Baseline Level of Immune Activation

Background. Intermittent interleukin (IL)-2 administration to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients leads to CD4 + T cell expansions. The factors potentially affecting these expansions were investigated in the present study. Methods. A matched (for baseline CD4 + T cell count) case-control study was designed. Nonresponders (NRs) were defined as patients with a ≤10% increase in CD4+ T cell count 2 months after the third IL-2 cycle (week 24), compared with that at baseline (week 0). Control subjects experienced a ≥50% increase in CD4 + T cell count at week 24. Immunophenotype, Ki67 and forkhead box protein P3 (FoxP3) expression, and T cell receptor excision circle (TREC) measurements in T cells were evaluated at weeks 0 and 24 in both groups. Results. Control subjects and NRs did not differ significantly at baseline in age, viral load, CD4+ T cell count, nadir CD4 + T cell count, or CD8 + T cell count. At week 0, NRs had lower TREC levels per 1 X 10 6 T cells and higher levels of T cell proliferation and activation than did control subjects. At week 24, both groups experienced decreases in T cell proliferation and increases in CD25 and FoxP3 expression on CD4 + T cells, with TREC levels per 1 X 10 6 CD4 + T cells decreasing significantly only in control subjects. Conclusions. Increased immune activation can adversely affect CD4+ T cell expansions after IL-2 administration. Despite the lack of expansion, other evidence of IL-2-induced biological activity was observed.