cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does the transtheoretical model need an attitude adjustment?: Integrating attitude with decisional balance as predictors of stage of change for exercise

Abstract Objectives. To compare conceptually similar decision-making components from the theory of planned behavior (attitude) and the transtheoretical model (pros and cons) to determine the extent to which attitude towards exercise adds to the prediction of stage of exercise behavior beyond that of pros and cons. Method. A sample of college undergraduates (N=223) were given stage of change, attitude and decisional balance measures regarding their exercise behavior. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the underlying measurement structure of the decision-making components, while a series of discriminant function analyses (DFAs) was performed using a combination of pros, cons, and cognitive and affective attitudes as predictors of membership in one of the five stages of change. Results. SEM determined that a correlated four-factor model, which included pros and cons and two attitude subscales, provided the best fit to the data. The DFAs revealed that the addition of attitude components to pros and cons significantly increased the overall explained variance across the stages of change from 32% to 56%, and improved the predictive ability of pros and cons from 31.2% to 48.2%. Conclusions. Although conceptually related, pros, cons and attitude were not closely linked at a construct-measurement level. Furthermore, the addition of attitude to pros and cons increased the overall explained variance across stages of change and improved the predictive ability of pros and cons alone. The measurement model and DFA results taken in combination strongly suggest that the addition of cognitive and affective attitudes may strengthen the decision-making aspect of the transtheoretical model.
Lexical Cohesion and Formal Thought Disorder During and After Psychotic Episodes

Speech samples obtained from schizophrenics, manics, schizoaffectives, and normal subjects were compared for the amount of lexical cohesion both within and between clauses. Two speech samples were obtained for each patient: one shortly after admission to a psychiatric hospital and another several weeks following discharge. All of the psychiatric patients showed evidence of formal thought disorder at admission, and all three groups showed a significant decline in the extent of thought disorder at follow-up. There were no differences between groups with regard to between-clause lexical cohesion at either point in time. Within-clause lexical cohesion did distinguish among the psychiatric groups at the first assessment interval; schizophrenics showed less within-clause lexical cohesion than the manics or schizoaffective patients. The manics and the schizoaffectives showed a significant decline in the amount of within-clause lexical cohesion from initial assessment to follow-up. The schizophrenics exhibited a modest decline in the amount of between-clause lexical cohesion.
Polarizabilities of alkali clusters

Abstract The static dipole polarizabilities of polyhedral clusters of Cs atoms are compared with linear clusters. The component of the polarizability parallel to the linear cluster increases approximately with the square of the number of atoms. As a result the dependence of the average polarizability with the number of atoms is qualitatively different in the two types of clusters, and may lead to strong geometrical preferences for Cs clusters interacting with surfaces.
Single molecule and single cell epigenomics

Dynamically regulated changes in chromatin states are vital for normal development and can produce disease when they go awry. Accordingly, much effort has been devoted to characterizing these states under normal and pathological conditions. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) is the most widely used method to characterize where in the genome transcription factors, modified histones, modified nucleotides and chromatin binding proteins are found; bisulfite sequencing (BS-seq) and its variants are commonly used to characterize the locations of DNA modifications. Though very powerful, these methods are not without limitations. Notably, they are best at characterizing one chromatin feature at a time, yet chromatin features arise and function in combination. Investigators commonly superimpose separate ChIP-seq or BS-seq datasets, and then infer where chromatin features are found together. While these inferences might be correct, they can be misleading when the chromatin source has distinct cell types, or when a given cell type exhibits any cell to cell variation in chromatin state. These ambiguities can be eliminated by robust methods that directly characterize the existence and genomic locations of combinations of chromatin features in very small inputs of cells or ideally, single cells. Here we review single molecule epigenomic methods under development to overcome these limitations, the technical challenges associated with single molecule methods and their potential application to single cells.
A prolonged chloroprocaine epidural block in a postpartum patient with abnormal pseudocholinesterase.

This case illustrates the effect of abnormal pseudocholinesterase on the metabolism and actions of chloroprocaine in a postpartum patient. The patient apparently could not adequately metabolize chloroprocaine which may have led to excessive somnolence intraoperatively. It also led to a prolonged chloroprocaine block (normally the block would last only 45-60 minutes) of 3 hours as well as to detectable serum chloroprocaine 5 hours after administration. Abnormal pseudocholinesterase was verified by the prolonged apnea following subsequent succinylcholine administration and by the fact that her dibucaine number at 6 weeks postpartum was indicative of a homozygote for the atypical cholinesterase variant or a heterozygote with 1 gene for the atypical variant and one for the silent variant. This case suggests that an abnormal reaction to chloroprocaine can occur in a patient with atypical cholinesterase and that an abnormal reaction to chloroprocaine has clinical implications beyond a prolonged epidural block. An abnormal reaction to chloroprocaine should alert the anesthesiologist to the possibility of a pseudocholinesterase deficiency which should suggest that the subsequent use of succinylcholine may result in a prolonged neuromuscular blockade.
Maturation of asparagine-linked oligosaccharides in Dictyostelium discoideum analyzed with modification-specific probes

Abstract Lysosomal enzymes in Dictyostelium discoideum contain high mannose oligosaccharides that contain mannose 6-phosphate and several unusual structures. The synthesis and distribution of these post-translational modifications were studied using probes for different carbohydrate groups. These probes include lectin-like antibodies directed to two distinct sulfated and one nonsulfated N-linked determinants, the lectin Con A, and the mammalian 215-kDa phosphomannosyl receptor. Only Con A binds to newly synthesized α-mannosidase present in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The other modifications are acquired at different rates and are first detected on protein in light density Golgi-like membranes. Mutations which prevent protein transport to Golgi membranes block synthesis of these moieties, but inhibitors which prevent later transport steps have no effect. The majority of modified proteins are in lysosomes but significant amounts are delivered to nonlysosomal destinations. Different lysosomal proteins contain unequal amounts of each modification.
Carotid Dacron Patch Angioplasty: Immediate and Long-Term Results of a Prospective Series

The purpose of the present study was to determine the acute clinical results associated with the performance of Dacron patch angioplasty during carotid endarterectomy, and to define the incidence of residual and recurrent carotid stenoses in patched arteries. Some 115 consecutive patients (mean age 68.0 years) underwent 119 primary carotid endarterectomy procedures in which the arteriotomy was repaired with a Dacron patch. The patients underwent duplex/occulopneumoplethysmography evaluation at 6 months after surgery, and annually thereafter. There was one (0.8%) operative death and two (1.7%) perioperative strokes. There were no immediate postoperative carotid thromboses. There were no wound or patch infections acutely, or in long-term follow-up. Thirteen patients (11%) were lost to follow-up; hence 106 arteries in 102 patients were followed for 1-65 (mean 17.8) months, including 66 arteries (62%) that have undergone serial OPG/duplex evaluation. The incidence of residual stenoses (within 3 months) was 4.5%, and that of recurrent stenoses 4.8%. The results of the study show Dacron carotid patch angioplasty to be associated with excellent clinical results, with a relatively low incidence of residual/recurrent carotid stenoses.
Exotic levels from topology in the quantum-chromodynamic effective Lagrangian

Skyrme has shown that the SU \ensuremath{\bigotimes} SU(2) chiral model has nontrivial topological sectors with static solutions for suitable Lagrangians. The baryon number $B$ and strangeness of these sectors have been studied, and the existence of bound states of the nucleon field to the lightest solitons is shown. It is found that there must be long-lived levels with $|B|\ensuremath{\gtrsim}6$ and $|s|\ensuremath{\gtrsim}6$ and $1.8 \mathrm{GeV}\ensuremath{\lesssim}m\ensuremath{\lesssim}5.6 \mathrm{GeV}$, some having half-integral charge and exotic relation between $B$ and $s$, that can be pair produced in, say, ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ collisions.
Computing the region of convergence for power series in many real variables: A ratio-like test

Abstract We give an elementary proof that the region of convergence for a power series in many real variables is a star-convex domain but not, in general, a convex domain. In doing so, we deduce a natural higher-dimensional analog of the so-called ratio test from univariate power series. From the constructive proof of this result, we arrive at a method to approximate the region of convergence up to a desired accuracy. While most results in the literature are for rather specialized classes of multivariate power series, the method devised here is general. As far as applications are concerned, note that while theorems such as the Cauchy–Kowalevski theorem (and its generalizations to many variables) grant the existence of a region of convergence for a multivariate Taylor series to certain PDEs under appropriate restrictions, they do not give the actual region of convergence. The determination of the maximal region of convergence for such a series solution to a PDE is one application of our result.
Performance of new wound closure tapes

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the performance of six different wound closure tapes using a battery of standardized tests that included breaking strength, elongation, air porosity, and shear adhesion. The results of these tests were incorporated into a ranking system that provided an index of the overall performance of each tape. Because Nichi-Strip, Curi-Strip™ and Steri-Strip® wound closure tapes achieved the highest rankings, we recommend their use in the emergency department.
A new characterization of the unit ball of H^2

We derive a new expression for the norm of H 2 functions; we present some well-known results in a different setting.
Cancer Pain Management

Safe, effective, and evidence-based management of cancer-related pain is a cornerstone of comprehensive cancer care. Despite increasing interest in and efforts to improve its management, pain remains poorly controlled in nearly half of all patients with cancer, with little change in the past 20 years. Limited training in pain assessment and management, overestimation of providers' own skills to treat pain, and failure to refer patients to pain specialists can result in suboptimal pain management with devastating effects on quality of life, physical functioning, and increased psychological distress. From a thorough assessment of cancer-related pain to appropriate treatments that may include opiates, adjuvant medications, nerve blocks, and nondrug interventions, this article is intended as a brief overview of the mechanisms and types of pain as well as a review of current, new, and promising approaches to its management.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Induces Localized Immunosuppression during Pneumonia

Hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia is a common and serious complication of modern medical care. Many aspects of such infections remain unclear, including the mechanisms by which invading pathogens resist clearance by the innate immune response and the tendency of the infections to be polymicrobial. Here, we used a mouse model of infection to show that Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a leading cause of hospital-acquired pneumonia, interferes with the ability of recruited phagocytic cells to eradicate bacteria from the lung. Early in infection, phagocytic cells, predominantly neutrophils, are recruited to the lungs but are incapacitated when they enter the airways by the P. aeruginosa toxin ExoU. The resulting paucity of functioning phagocytes allows P. aeruginosa to persist within the lungs and results in local immunosuppression that facilitates superinfection with less-pathogenic bacteria. Together, our results provide explanations for previous reports linking ExoU-secreting P. aeruginosa with more severe pulmonary infections and for the tendency of hospital-acquired pneumonia to be polymicrobial.
STRIVE: Stress Resilience in Virtual Environments

The Stress Resilience In Virtual Environments (STRIVE) project aims to create a set of combat simulations (adapted from existing Virtual Iraq/Afghanistan exposure therapy system) that are part of a multi-episode narrative experience. Users can be immersed within challenging combat contexts and interact with virtual characters within these episodes as part of an experiential learning approach. Such approaches, often referred to as Stress Inoculation Training, have been found to reduce the neuroendocrine response, increase coping competence and reduce cortisol response. STRIVE is currently developing three combat modules with a narrative arc that includes increasingly intense combat situations, relational development, stress and loss, and emotional trauma. The goal is to raise the service member's threshold for the stress of combat.
Phenomenological Approaches in Anthropology

This review explores the most significant dimensions and findings of phenomenological approaches in anthropology. We spell out the motives and implications inherent in such approaches, chronicle their historical dimensions and precursors, and address the ways in which they have contributed to analytic perspectives employed in anthropology. This article canvasses phenomenologically oriented research in anthropology on a number of topics, including political relations and violence; language and discourse; neurophenomenology; emotion; embodiment and bodiliness; illness and healing; pain and suffering; aging, dying, and death; sensory perception and experience; subjectivity; intersubjectivity and sociality; empathy; morality; religious experience; art, aesthetics, and creativity; narrative and storytelling; time and temporality; and senses of place. We examine, and propose salient responses to, the main critiques of phenomenological approaches in anthropology, and we also take note of some of the most pressin...
The Plane of the Kuiper Belt

We present a robust method for measuring the effective plane of the Kuiper belt. The derived plane has an inclination with respect to the ecliptic of 1o.86 and an ascending node of 81o.6, with a 1 σ error in pole position of the plane of 0o.37. The plane of the Kuiper belt is inconsistent with the invariable plane, the plane of Jupiter, and the plane of Neptune at the greater than 3 σ level. Using linear secular perturbation theory, we show that the plane of the Kuiper belt is expected to oscillate about the position of the invariable plane with a period of 1.9 million years and an amplitude of 1o.2. The present predicted position of the plane of the Kuiper belt has an inclination with respect to the ecliptic of 1o.74 and an ascending node of 86o.7, within 0o.20 of our measured position.
Molecular biomarkers for the study of childhood leukemia.

Various specific chromosome rearrangements, including t(8;21), t(15;17), and inv(16), are found in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and in childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), t(12;21) and t(1;19) are common. We sequenced the translocation breakpoints of 56 patients with childhood ALL or AML harboring t(12;21), t(8;21), t(15;17), inv(16), and t(1;19), and demonstrated, with the notable exception of t(1;19), that these rearrangements are commonly detected in the neonatal blood spots (Guthrie cards) of the cases. These findings show that most childhood leukemias begin before birth and that maternal and perinatal exposures such as chemical and infectious agents are likely to be critical. Indeed, we have reported that exposure to indoor pesticides during pregnancy and the first year of life raises leukemia risk, but that later exposures do not. We have also examined aberrant gene methylation in different cytogenetic subgroups and have found striking differences between them, suggesting that epigenetic events are also important in the development of some forms of childhood leukemia. Further, at least two studies now show that the inactivating NAD(P)H:quinone acceptor oxidoreductase (NQO1) C609T polymorphism is positively associated with leukemias arising in the first 1–2 years of life and polymorphisms in the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene have been associated with adult and childhood ALL. Thus, low folate intake and compounds that are detoxified by NQO1 may be important in elevating leukemia risk in children. Finally, we are exploring the use of proteomics to subclassify leukemia, because cytogenetic analysis is costly and time-consuming. Several proteins have been identified that may serve as useful biomarkers for rapidly identifying different forms of childhood leukemia.
Selected barriers and incentives for worksite health promotion services and policies.

Abstract Purpose To assess employees' attitudes toward potential barriers to and incentives for their likely use of worksite health promotion services. Methods Data from the 2004 HealthStyles Survey, a volunteer mail survey, were used to examine selected barriers to, incentives for, and potential use of worksite health promotion programs among adults employed full-time or part-time outside the home (n = 2337). Results Respondents were 72.7% white and 52.1% female; 36.5% were college graduates, 30.7% had a body mass index of at least 30, and 35.6% were regularly active. The most common reported barriers to use of worksite services were no time during the workday (42.5%) and no time before or after work (39.4%). More than 70% of employees responded that the following incentives would promote their interest in participating in a free worksite wellness program: convenient time, convenient location, and employer-provided paid time off during the workday. Preferred health promotion services reported by responde...
Plans for a Two Stage 450 MeV Cascade Microtron

We report some alternative plans for obtaining continuous electron beams with energies of about 450 MeV by using two microtrons in series. The first stage could be the accelerator we are now operating, which is a six transversal Microtron Using a Superconducting Linac, MUSL-2. The second stage would include another linac which can sustain an r.f. field continuously and a higher energy recirculation system. The recirculation that is best understood and seems to have the least distortion is the conventional microtron with a pair of 180° bending magnets such as are used in MUSL-2. The alternative recirculation system uses four 90° bending magnets, and could be extended to higher energy more easily.
An optimal feature extraction method

The authors present a feature extraction method that can find a minimum set of minimal features for any given set of N binary images (patterns). This method has some similarities to the method of minimizing multiple switching functions. It becomes difficult to apply manually as N becomes large. For large N, a computer implementation of this method is presented. Two examples, one for N=5 (small N) and the other for N=10 (large N), are given to illustrate the method. This method can easily be extended and applied to optimal feature extraction of high-dimensional multigrey color images. >
A branch chamber system and techniques for simultaneous pollutant exposure experiments and gaseous flux determinations

We describe an experimental system and techniques for use in simultaneous pollutant exposure experiments and gaseous flux determinations. The system uses flexible Teflon bag-like chambers to enclose entire individual branches of young trees. Five gaseous fluxes (CO 2 , H 2 O, SO 2 , O 3 , and H 2 O 2 ) are measured once per hour for each of two branches. Techniques for determining chamber surface loss corrections and methods of estimating needle surface area of conifers are described. A three-week continuous test was run in order to evaluate system performance. Inlet concentrations of the five gases were extremely stable, with uncertainties of ≤ 2.2% in all cases and day-to-night differences of < 4%. Comparison of two branch chambers, one with clean air and one with the added pollutant gases H 2 O 2 , SO 2 , and O 3 , showed that between-chamber differences were < 2% for the average inlet concentrations of H 2 O and CO 2 . Pollutant losses to chamber surfaces were significant but were generally smaller than losses to the branch itself. Chamber loss corrections were different for daytime and nighttime conditions and also evolved as the three-week experiment proceeded. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0889.1990.t01-2-00003.x
Random finite set Markov Chain Monte Carlo predetection fusion

Predetection fusion is an efficient (and, depending on what underlies it, indispensable) way to process high volume data from large networks of low quality sensors and thus, an aid to multisensor multitarget tracking. In previous work we derived both the GLRT (presumably “optimal”) technique and a more practicable contact-sifting variant. Unfortunately, the gaps between the two in terms of computation time and performance are not inconsiderable. Hence in this paper we propose a new approach based on random finite sets (RFS) and implemented by Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation. We trust that it is found interesting; but even if not, we show that it offers improved results, in the sense of RMSE and number of declared targets.
Erratum for Paredez et al., Identification of Obscure yet Conserved Actin-Associated Proteins in Giardia lamblia.

Volume 13, no. 6, p. [776–784][1], 2014. Page 780: In Table 1, the S. salmonicida GenBank no. for GL50803_17596 should be [EST49381.1][2]. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1128/EC.00041-14 [2]: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/protein/EST49381.1
On the use of satellite altimetry to infer the earthquake rupture characteristics: Application to the 2004 Sumatra event

SUMMARY Standard data and methods, such as the inversion of seismic and GPS data, have been used extensively to infer the details of the 2004 December 26 earthquake. The unprecedented large size of this event gave the opportunity to modern altimeters to provide the first clear records of a tsunami in deep ocean, therefore allowing us to study the rupture history from an independent perspective. We invert the Jason-1 and Topex–Poseidon altimetry records, considering the new constraints available on the geometry of the fault plane, and taking them into account in a 3-D rupture model. The data are corrected for the non-negligible effect of satellite motion during measurements. Our results show that the rupture propagated over the 1500 km of subduction zone initially identified by the aftershock distribution, with a magnitude of Mw= 9.1. Our solution compares well with the latitudinal distribution of slip inferred from other data sets, with a maximum of energy release north of Sumatra, and two other slip patches near the Nicobar and Andaman islands. Based on waveform comparison, we assert that the shallow portion of the megathrust offshore Banda Aceh had slip amplitudes of more than 20 m. Also, we find that significant amounts of slip (about 10 m) concentrated below the Andaman islands and did not propagate on the shallow portion of the interface. Although synthetic tests tend to show less resolution in the northern part of the rupture, this solution is compatible with the near-field data (GPS, coral heads and imagery), and would allow one to explain the apparent paradox between the large local displacements and the moderate tsunami observed locally. Finally, we demonstrate the rapidly dominating effect of propagation and slip distribution over the rupture velocity, and how it precludes the direct estimate of this latter parameter.
The How of the Hyphen

Author's summary.— The function of the hyphen is commonly misunderstood or ignored. Used with discrimination, the hyphen can facilitate reading, by marking relationships not otherwise immediately clear.
Regional geologic and tectonic setting of the Maracaibo supergiant basin, western Venezuela

This special issue contains eight topical studies on the structure, stratigraphy, and petroleum system of the Maracaibo Basin, a supergiant basin in western Venezuela. Most of the work reported in this special issue is the product of thesis-related research by master's and doctoral-level students at the Jackson School of Geosciences of the University of Texas at Austin during a collaborative relationship with the Venezuelan national oil company, Petrleos de Venezuela, S. A., that was initiated in the late 1980s. This introductory article presents a regional overview of the tectonic setting and geology of the Maracaibo Basin. With a cumulative oil production of more than 30 billion bbl, since the first production well was drilled in 1914 and estimated ultimate oil reserves of more than 44 billion bbl, the Maracaibo Basin is the most prolific hydrocarbon basin in the Western Hemisphere. Unlike the more extensive Gulf of Mexico giant hydrocarbon provinces, the relatively small size (50,000 km2; 19,305 mi2), relative simplicity in its structure and stratigraphy, and wealth of surface and subsurface data make the Maracaibo Basin an attractive target for basinwide synthesis. The objective of this article is to present a regional compilation of two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) seismic data, wells, and outcrop data at a basinwide scale to reveal the basin's 3-D structure and stratigraphy. Moreover, we show regional tectonic reconstructions, regional geologic maps, and basin subsidence history to better constrain four major tectonic events that affected the basin and that are critical for understanding the timing and distribution of major unconformities and clastic wedges, the distribution of the reservoir rocks, the reactivation of older fault trends, and the timing of maturation for underlying source rocks. Many of these topics are discussed in greater detail in the other eight articles in this special issue.
Conservation in hedgehog signaling: induction of a chicken patched homolog by Sonic hedgehog in the developing limb

Hedgehog genes have been implicated in inductive signaling during development in a variety of organisms. A key element of the hedgehog signaling system is encoded by the gene patched. In Drosophila hedgehog regulates gene expression by antagonizing the action of patched. In addition, patched is itself a transcriptional target of hedgehog signaling. We have isolated a chicken patched homolog and find it to be strongly expressed adjacent to all tissues where members of the hedgehog family are expressed. As in Drosophila, ectopic expression of Sonic hedgehog leads to ectopic induction of chicken Patched. Based on this regulatory conservation, vertebrate Patched is likely to be directly downstream of Sonic hedgehog signaling. An important role of Sonic hedgehog is the regulation of anterior/posterior pattern in the developing limb bud. Since Patched is directly downstream of the hedgehog signal, the extent of high level Patched expression provides a measure of the distance that Sonic hedgehog diffuses and directly acts. On this basis, we find that Sonic hedgehog directly acts as a signal over only the posterior third of the limb bud. During limb patterning, secondary signals are secreted in both the mesoderm (e.g. Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2) and apical ectodermal ridge (e.g. Fibroblast Growth Factor-4) in response to Sonic hedgehog. Thus knowing which is the direct target tissue is essential for unraveling the molecular patterning of the limb. The expression of Patched provides a strong indication that the mesoderm and not the ectoderm is the direct target of Sonic hedgehog signaling in the limb bud. Finally we demonstrate that induction of Patched requires Sonic hedgehog but, unlike Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 and Hox genes, does not require Fibroblast Growth Factor as a co-inducer. It is therefore a more direct target of Sonic hedgehog than previously reported patterning genes.
Spare allocation and reconfiguration in large area VLSI

One approach to enhancing the yield of large area VLSI is through design for yield enhancement by means of restructurable interconnect, logic and computational elements. Although extensive literature exists concerning architectural design for inclusion of spares and restructuring mechanisms in memories and processor arrays, little research has been published on optimal spare allocation and reconfiguration in the presence of multiple defects. In this paper, a summary of a systematic approach developed by the authors for spare allocation and reconfiguration is presented. Spare allocation is modeled in graph theoretic terms in which spare allocation for a specific reconfigurable system is shown to be equivalent to either a graph matching or a graph dominating set problem. The complexity of optimal spare allocation for each of the problem classes is analyzed in this paper and reconfiguration algorithms are provided.
Effect of farnesol on Candida dubliniensis biofilm formation and fluconazole resistance

Candida dubliniensis and Candida albicans are dimorphic fungal species with a number of pathogenic capabilities, including biofilm formation, systemic infection and development of fluconazole resistance. In this study, the ability of farnesol to disrupt these virulence capabilities was investigated. Biofilm assessment and susceptibility studies indicated antifungal and antibiofilm properties for farnesol on both species with a disruptive effect on the cell membrane. Synergy testing of farnesol and fluconazole in resistant strains resulted in reversal of fluconazole resistance, indicating a potential application for farnesol as an adjuvant therapeutic agent.
Does stress influence early pregnancy loss

Abstract PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between stress, cortisol level and the risk for spontaneous abortion and determine the influence of stress on health-related behaviors. METHODS: Three hundred and twenty-six pregnant women presenting to the emergency department at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania from March 1999 through March 2000 were recruited and followed through 22 weeks gestation. Cases were women who experienced a spontaneous abortion and controls were women who maintained their pregnancy. Stress was measured by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Prenatal Social Environment Inventory (PSEI) and the Index of Spousal Abuse (ISA) prior to confirmation of spontaneous abortion. Blood samples were collected to measure cortisol and sex hormone levels. Urine samples were collected to assess cotinine, cocaine and marijuana use. RESULTS: No relationship was found between psychosocial stress, as determined by the three stress scales or cortisol level, and the risk for spontaneous abortion. Women with high stress, as measured by the PSEI, were more likely to use cigarettes and marijuana during pregnancy. High psychosocial stress during early pregnancy was not related to spontaneous abortion but high stress was associated with substance use during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: The influence of psychosocial stress on the risk of spontaneous abortion is unclear.
Simplex projection methods for selection of endmembers in hyperspectral imagery

It is well known that performance of subpixel target detection algorithms depends on the choice of endmembers used to characterize the background and the target in hyperspectral imagery. In this paper, we investigate how well a set of endmembers characterizes a given set of spectra. We are assuming a fully constrained linear mixing model, and analyze the resulting residuals. To facilitate geometric and intuitive interpretation, we formulate the resulting constrained least-squares estimation problem in terms of projections on low-dimensional simplexes. Consequently, we define a family of simplex projection methods (SPM) for endmember selection. We give numerical results for two known endmember-selection procedures -the pixel purity index (PPI) and the maximum distance (MaxD) methods. Then we compare these results to those for a simple version of SMP, called the Farthest Pixel Selection (FPS) method. This new class of techniques promises to give better descriptions of the target and background regions than do current methods, which in turn should lead to more precise detection (with lower false alarm rates) of low-visibility small (subpixel) targets
Phase Separation Studies of Confined Thin Film Polymer Blends

Using video-optical microscopy and image analysis software, the morphological development of phase separation of polystyrene (PS) and poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) blends is monitored for film thickness ranging from 200 to 700nm’s. In the current studies, films are confined between glass slides. For blends having a PS volume fraction of 0.30 (the critical composition), the area fraction of the PS-rich minority phase, A, decreases more rapidly as film thickness decreases. At long times, the final A achieves a constant value which is less than the bulk value. The correlation length of concentration fluctuations increases more rapidly than the bulk scaling prediction, which suggests that wetting plays a significant role in the phase separation kinetics of thin films. Because of confinement, the shape of the PS-rich phase is anisotropic, flattened along the film direction. The confinement restricts the phase growth perpendicular to the film plane, and thus hinders the development of phase separation at very late stages.
Genomic Modifiers of Natural Killer Cells, Immune Responsiveness and Lymphoid Tissue Remodeling Together Increase Host Resistance to Viral Infection

The MHC class I Dk molecule supplies vital host resistance during murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection. Natural killer (NK) cells expressing the Ly49G2 inhibitory receptor, which specifically binds Dk, are required to control viral spread. The extent of Dk-dependent host resistance, however, differs significantly amongst related strains of mice, C57L and MA/My. As a result, we predicted that relatively small-effect modifier genetic loci might together shape immune cell features, NK cell reactivity, and the host immune response to MCMV. A robust Dk-dependent genetic effect, however, has so far hindered attempts to identify additional host resistance factors. Thus, we applied genomic mapping strategies and multicolor flow cytometric analysis of immune cells in naive and virus-infected hosts to identify genetic modifiers of the host immune response to MCMV. We discovered and validated many quantitative trait loci (QTL); these were mapped to at least 19 positions on 16 chromosomes. Intriguingly, one newly discovered non-MHC locus (Cmv5) controlled splenic NK cell accrual, secondary lymphoid organ structure, and lymphoid follicle development during MCMV infection. We infer that Cmv5 aids host resistance to MCMV infection by expanding NK cells needed to preserve and protect essential tissue structural elements, to enhance lymphoid remodeling and to increase viral clearance in spleen.
Risk of optic pathway glioma in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 and optic nerve tortuosity or nerve sheath thickening.

Background/aims Optic nerve tortuosity and nerve and sheath thickening are observed on MRI in some patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1). This study aimed to determine if tortuosity and thickening are associated with the development of optic pathway glioma (OPG) and subsequent vision loss. Methods Children with NF-1 who underwent brain MRI between 1992 and 2005, and had at least 1 year of subsequent visual acuity (VA) follow-up, were identified retrospectively. The baseline MRI was independently reviewed by three neuroradiologists for consensus assessment. Tortuosity was identified using validated operational criteria. Optic nerve and sheath thicknesses and VA at last follow-up were directly measured. Results Of 132 evaluable children, seven (5%) had tortuosity on baseline MRI. 20 subjects (15%) ultimately developed OPG at a median of 1.9 years (range 7 months–8.0 years) following the baseline MRI. Subjects with tortuosity were significantly more likely to develop OPG than those without tortuosity (57% vs 13%, p=0.01). In subjects who developed OPG, the prevalence of tumour-related vision loss was not significantly different between those with and without baseline tortuosity (14% vs 4%, p=0.28). No difference existed between mean baseline optic nerve (2.3 vs 2.2 mm) or sheath (5.2 vs 5.4 mm) thicknesses comparing subjects who did and did not develop OPG. Conclusions Optic nerve tortuosity at baseline is associated with OPG development among patients with NF-1, but does not predispose to aggressive OPG with associated vision loss. Neither nerve nor sheath thickening at baseline is associated with OPG development.
Azumamiris vernalis : a new genus and species of Mirini from central Japan (Heteroptera: Miridae: Mirinae)

Azumamiris, a new genus of mirine plant bug, is established to accommodate a new species, A. vernalis, which has occasionally been found in central Honshu, Japan. This univoltine mirine was confirmed to be associated with a gramineous dwarf bamboo, Pleioblastus chino (Fr. et Sav.) Makino, and the adults appear only in early May. The final instar nymph is also diagnosed and described. The present new genus is assumed to be allied to Stenotus Jakovlev known from the Old World and to continental Chinese Elthemidea Zheng. A key to the genera under discussion is provided.
Passive Orbit Measurement of Geosynchronous Satellite Based on Four-station's Time Difference of Arrival

Measuring time difference of arrival(TDOA) based on satellite's communication signal is one of the best and new passive orbit measurement methods.It is meaningful to analyse its orbit determination accuracy.In this paper,the principles and system composition of passive orbit measurement with four-station's TDOA are introduced.A self-calibration algorithm of accurate orbit determination for the system is proposed.Orbit determination accuracy of the system is simulated by computer,and the result reveals that:when there exists no system error,the position accuracy is 11 meters with 24 hours observation data,the position accuracy is 100 meters after 1 week's prediction;when there exists system error,the position accuracy is 120 meters with 24 hours observation data,the position accuracy is 200 meters after 1 week's prediction,and the estimated system error accuracy is 4 meters.
Believing in order to know

Evidentialism is generally taken to be a position which is not friendly to a religious epistemology. However, in this paper, I will argue for a religious epistemology which is compatible with fundamental tenets of an evidentialist position on epistemic justification. It is a position which entails both a “will to believe” which goes beyond the standard evidentialist principles governing the appropriate doxastic attitude towards a proposition, but nonetheless satisfies epistemic principles at the basis of an evidentialist position on justification. If my argument is successful, a proponent of a conception of religious faith may be able to have her cake and eat it too: namely, she may be able to fundamentally accept both the evidentialist demand that epistemically rational belief fit, or be supported by evidence as well as the position that rational faith is willing belief beyond what one’s evidence strictly demands.
A New Visible Chemical Laser

During an experiment for development of a high power, high efficiency chemical oxygen iodine laser (COIL), we happened to observe that the laser power went down to zero from 600 W, and, instead, the lasing zone started to emitt intense red light. Later we found that this phenomenon was reproducible under certain experimental condition.
Suicidality, Self-Harm, and Body Dissatisfaction in Transgender Adolescents and Emerging Adults with Gender Dysphoria.

Prevalence of suicide attempts, self-injurious behaviors, and associated psychosocial factors were examined in a clinical sample of transgender (TG) adolescents and emerging adults (n = 96). Twenty-seven (30.3%) TG youth reported a history of at least one suicide attempt and 40 (41.8%) reported a history of self-injurious behaviors. There was a higher frequency of suicide attempts in TG youth with a desire for weight change, and more female-to-male youth reported a history of suicide attempts and self-harm behaviors than male-to-female youth. Findings indicate that this population is at a high risk for psychiatric comorbidities and life-threatening behaviors.
Athletic Performance Monitoring, Pseudo Science and Metaphysics Meet Ethics

In ancient Greece, philosophical thought and sport were intimately linked (Demirel and Yildiran 2013). In 700 BC organized sports and the Olympic games demonstrated the ethics, social virtues, and ...
EOF analysis of shoreline and beach slope variability at a feeder beach constructed within a groin field at Long Branch, New Jersey

Abstract The morphologic evolution of a beach nourishment project constructed in Long Branch, New Jersey, USA is investigated using the method of empirical orthogonal functions (EOF). Most applications of EOFs on beach fill projects have focused on traditional linear fills on relatively long, straight, uninterrupted coastlines. The Long Branch project was unique in that it was designed as a feeder beach and was constructed within a groin field. The method of EOF analysis is applied to help identify patterns representing distinct physical processes in data sets of shoreline position and shoreline slope at the site. The first three modes, determined from the shoreline position data set, explain more than 90% of the variation from the mean shoreline. The first and third modes represent variations of the fill's spreading as material moved to the north in the direction of the net littoral drift. Several shore-perpendicular structures interrupt the longshore transport and regulate the spreading. One of these structures is a large outfall pipe that was identified during the beach profile surveys to have a dominant influence over the shoreline evolution. The second mode identified in the shoreline data set is related to seasonal or storm impacts, and represents the transition between a reflective summer condition and a dissipative winter state. Several of the modes derived from the beach slope data set, represent processes similar to those identified in the shoreline data set. The first mode explains 43.1% of the variation in the beach slope data, and represents the seasonal transition between reflective and dissipative beach states. The second mode represents the equilibration of slopes within the beach fill and the initial spreading of the fill. Derivatives of the temporal coefficients of both the shoreline and beach slope data sets are consistent with a reduction in the rate of changes as equilibrium is approached, and an acceleration of changes during storms.
Race to Alaska vessel imaging test

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery has proven to be a useful tool when applied to Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) problems; it can produce very wide field of view imagery when searching for vessels in open ocean. While it is easy to predict the performance of vessel detection when searching for large, metallic ships, its performance in finding small, non-metallic vessels is currently not quantified. If RADARSAT-2 is tasked to take an image in the Wide Ultra-Fine Beam Mode (the beam mode that gives the best resolution with a wide field of view), it is unknown if the user will be able to see a 30' fiberglass speed boat. The aim of this test is to remove some of that uncertainty through empirical means, and the Race to Alaska gives NRL a large, non-metallic vessel target set over 14 days.
Weed Control In Field-Grown Holly

Abstract Two separate experiments were conducted over a 3-year growing period to examine control of grass and broadleaf weeds in three cultivars of Ilex. The effect of application timing and number of applications of a tank mixture of Surflan (oryzalin) + Princep (simazine) [2.2 + 0.9 kg ai/ha (2.0 + 0.75 lb ai/A)] were examined in the first study. Maximum season-long control was obtained with any treatment that contained a minimum of two herbicide applications, with the first applied in March and the second in July. The performance of various 2-way combinations of Surflan, Princep and Goal was examined in the second experiment. Acceptable weed control was obtained with any combination that contained broadleaf and grass-active herbicides. Inspection of data across both studies indicates that timing of application is of greater importance than the specific herbicides used.
Parity and Support Prices for Flue-Cured Tobacco

S OTHER writers have pointed out,l since the 1930's, tobacco states 12 congressmen have been most successful in obtaining exceptional treatment for tobacco in farm parity and support price legislation. They have also been key leaders in the fight to retain the parity concept as a symbol of fairness to farmers and in the fight for rigid government price supports at a high percentage of parity. This paper describes and analyzes the historical and current developments in tobacco parity and support price legislation, with special reference to flue-cured tobacco.2
Effects of local communication and spatial position in a collective decision-making model

Large-scale coordination in nature relies on the effective flow of information through a group. Understanding this flow is essential to implementing similar behaviors in artificial groups such as teams of robots, especially if communication is limited to an individual’s closest neighbors as in nature. While observational studies of the spatial position of leaders, or initiators, of a decision in natural systems have been made, there has been a lack of studies specifically investigating the effects of position in more depth. In the work presented here, our simulations predict that centrally located individuals are more successful initiators than those on the periphery when communication is local. However, since there are many examples in natural systems of individuals located on the periphery successfully initiating, we incorporate the concept of temperament traits to modulate the decision-making process and improve initiation success in three different types of group behavior. Simulations predict that the...