cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulatory roles of Oct proteins in the mammary gland

The expression of Oct-1 and -2 and their binding to the octamer motif in the mammary gland are developmentally and hormonally regulated, consistent with the expression of milk proteins. Both of these transcription factors constitutively bind to the proximal promoter of the milk protein gene β-casein and might be involved in the inhibition or activation of promoter activity via interactions with other transcription factors or cofactors at different developmental stages. In particular, the lactogenic hormone prolactin and glucocorticoids induce Oct-1 and Oct-2 binding and interaction with both the signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) and the glucocorticoid receptor on the β-casein promoter to activate β-casein expression. In addition, increasing evidence has shown the involvement of another Oct factor, Oct-3/4, in mammary tumorigenesis, making Oct-3/4 an emerging prognostic marker of breast cancer and a molecular target for the gene-directed therapeutic intervention, prevention and treatment of breast cancer. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: The Oct Transcription Factor Family, edited by Dr. Dean Tantin.
Epitaxial Growth of Two-Dimensional Dichalcogenides and Modification of Their Surfaces with Scanning Probe Microscopes

Methods for epitaxial growth of two dimensional materials are described. The lack of interlayer bonding in these materials allows for epitaxial growth with large lattice mismatches. Growth of MoSe2 on MoS2 (a 5% mismatch) or on SnS2 (10% mismatch) can be demonstrated. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) revealed remarkable structures in the epilayer as a result of the large mismatches. A technique using the STM or atomic force microscope (AFM) to selectively remove single molecular layers from the surface of layered materials is also described. The combination of these two technologies may result in the ability to produce nanoscale devices exhibiting quantum size effects.
The Scribe Who Has Become a Disciple: Identifying and Becoming the Ideal Reader of the Biblical Canon

******* Abstract: The literary notion of "implied reader" invokes a series of hermeneutically significant questions: What is it? Who produces it? and How can it be identified? These questions naturally lead to a further query: What is the relationship between this implied reader of a text and an actual reader of a text? This type of study is often associated primarily with reader-response theory and purely literary approaches. However, the concept can help uncover an often-neglected aspect of biblical interpretation, namely, the role of the reader. If biblical authors envision certain types of readers, then identifying the nature of this "implied audience" is an important part of the interpretive task. Further, because Christians read the biblical writings within the context of a canonical collection, this concept can be pursued in light of the Christian canon as a whole. Through this literary and theological study, I seek to demonstrate that strategic biblical texts envision an "ideal reader," namely, an actual reader who seeks to identify with the implied reader.
Surveillance of Schistosomiasis in Guangzhou City after the Interdiction of the Disease

Objective To explore the epidemic situation of schistosomiasis after interdicted the transmission of the disease in Huadu and Zengcheng section of Guangzhou. Method The surveillance systems of the snail, the source of contaminate, young age group and the emigrants were established. Results Only sun dried snails but not living snails were found within the range of 3052 acre from 1991 to 2000. 154 out of 4412 serum samples of the young age group and immigrants were seropositive of the skin test, with a positive rate of 3.49%. However, schistosome eggs were not found by the fecal nylon bag egg-gather hatching method in these seropositive individuals. Schistosome eggs were not found in 1278 wild rats examined by the rectum slide compress method. Conclusions The prevention and control measures for the schistosomiasis was effective in Guangzhou after interdicted the transmission of schistosomiasis. As the prevalence of schistosomiasis was uprising in several provinces around the lakes and the disease was out broken in some local regions, the surveillance system must be strengthened in order to avoid the introduction of the source of infected snails and disease carriers.
Genetic sequence data reveals widespread sharing of Leucocytozoon lineages in corvids

Leucocytozoon, a widespread hemosporidian blood parasite that infects a broad group of avian families, has been studied in corvids (family: Corvidae) for over a century. Current taxonomic classification indicates that Leucocytozoon sakharoffi infects crows and related Corvus spp., while Leucocytozoon berestneffi infects magpies (Pica spp.) and blue jays (Cyanocitta sp.). This intrafamily host specificity was based on the experimental transmissibility of the parasites, as well as slight differences in their morphology and life cycle development. Genetic sequence data from Leucocytozoon spp. infecting corvids is scarce, and until the present study, sequence data has not been analyzed to confirm the current taxonomic distinctions. Here, we predict the phylogenetic relationships of Leucocytozoon cytochrome b lineages recovered from infected American Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos), yellow-billed magpies (Pica nuttalli), and Steller’s jays (Cyanocitta stelleri) to explore the host specificity pattern of L. sakharoffi and L. berestneffi. Phylogenetic reconstruction revealed a single large clade containing nearly every lineage recovered from the three host species, while showing no evidence of the expected distinction between L. sakharoffi and L. berestneffi. In addition, five of the detected lineages were recovered from both crows and magpies. This absence of the previously described host specificity in corvid Leucocytozoon spp. suggests that L. sakharoffi and L. berestneffi be reexamined from a taxonomic perspective.
NMR Parameter Estimation by Proper Model Order Selection

Mean Squares of Errors (MSE) criterion is presented for model order determination in the nmr time domain. Maximum model order and minimum variance serve as the basis of the criterion. The performance of the MSE is compared with that of other criteria.
Opioid-Induced Androgen Deficiency (OPIAD): Diagnosis, Management, and Literature Review

Opioid-induced androgen deficiency (OPIAD) was initially recognized as a possible consequence of opioid use roughly four decades ago. Long-acting opioid use carries risks of addiction, tolerance, and systemic side effects including hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with consequent testosterone depletion leading to multiple central and peripheral effects. Hypogonadism is induced through direct inhibitory action of opioids on receptors within the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axes as well as testosterone production within the testes. Few studies have systematically investigated hormonal changes induced by long-term opioid administration or the effects of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in patients with OPIAD. Clomiphene citrate, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), is a testosterone enhancement treatment which upregulates endogenous hypothalamic function. This review will focus on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of OPIAD, including summary of literature evaluating OPIAD treatment with TRT, and areas of future investigation.
An interaction controller formulation to systematically avoid force overshoots through impedance shaping method with compliant robot base

Abstract Nowadays, light-weight manipulators are widely adopted in many applications requiring manipulation/interaction with compliant/fragile objects. Reduced inertia and controlled compliance, indeed, make such manipulators particularly attractive when compliant mountings (or mobile platforms) are adopted and contact force overshoot may compromise the application. The here presented work proposes the design of a force-tracking controller for interaction tasks allowing to systematically avoid any force overshoot for lightweight robots mounted on compliant bases. The developed algorithm allows to compensate for the compliant robot base dynamics that affects the interaction. The control gains are calculated to track a target force reference through the estimation of the robot base state and the interacting environment stiffness. Closed-loop stability and control gains calculation are described. The control law has been validated in a probing task involving a compliant robot base and a compliant environment to show the obtained performance.
Preservation of Tregs during CD28/CD154 blockade of ex vivo antigen-specific activation of diabetogenic T cells

Mark R. Rigby graduated with a B.S. from Duke University and an M.D. and Ph.D. at the University of Massachusetts, conducting a thesis with Aldo Rossini. Then, at Johns Hopkins he competed pediatric residency and fellowship in pediatric critical care. Then, as faculty at Emory University he was a pediatric intensivists and on faculty at the Emory Transplant Center. He is presently Academic Chief of Pediatric Critical care, the Director of Translations Research Center in Pediatric, conducts basic T1DM research in the Well Diabetes Center, and is the Protocol Chair of the NIH supported intervention trial, the T1DAL study. Preservation of Tregs during CD28/CD154 blockade of ex vivo antigen-specific activation of diabetogenic T cells
Natural Versus Anthropogenic Emissions of Trace Metals to the Atmosphere

The emissions from anthropogenic sources now exceed the flux from natural sources, implying that mankind has become the key element in the regional and global cycle of most of the trace metals. The source inventories presented suggest that the Mn/V, Mn/Sn and Mn/Ni ratios are the most useful tags of air pollution from the burning of fuel oil while the Mn/Mo ratio can be regarded as best suited for fingerprinting the contributions from coal combustion. In future, the emissions of trace metals from refuse incineration and the contributions from the developing countries are expected to be of growing concern. Biogenic processes are recognized in this report as being particularly important in the natural flux of trace metals into the atmosphere.
Suppressive IL-17A + Foxp3 + and ex-Th17 IL-17A neg Foxp3 + T reg cells are a source of tumour-associated T reg cells

Th17 and regulatory T (Treg) cells are integral in maintaining immune homeostasis and Th17-Treg imbalance is associated with inflammatory immunosuppression in cancer. Here we show that Th17 cells are a source of tumour-induced Foxp3+ cells. In addition to natural (n)Treg and induced (i)Treg cells that develop from naive precursors, suppressive IL-17A+Foxp3+ and ex-Th17 Foxp3+ cells are converted from IL-17A+Foxp3neg cells in tumour-bearing mice. Metabolic phenotyping of Foxp3-expressing IL-17A+, ex-Th17 and iTreg cells demonstrates the dissociation between the metabolic fitness and the suppressive function of Foxp3-expressing Treg cell subsets. Although all Foxp3-expressing subsets are immunosuppressive, glycolysis is a prominent metabolic pathway exerted only by IL-17A+Foxp3+ cells. Transcriptome analysis and flow cytometry of IL-17A+Foxp3+ cells indicate that Folr4, GARP, Itgb8, Pglyrp1, Il1rl1, Itgae, TIGIT and ICOS are Th17-to-Treg cell transdifferentiation-associated markers. Tumour-associated Th17-to-Treg cell conversion identified here provides insights for targeting the dynamism of Th17-Treg cells in cancer immunotherapy.
Sexual Deviation: Paraphilias

Sexuality has always been viewed as a force that must be tightly controlled and regulated. Sexual behavior has been considered a legitimate topic of scientific inquiry only for the past 50 years, beginning with Alfred Kinsey’s landmark surveys (Bullough, 1998). Before that time, sexuality and its problems were to be regulated by the church, the government, or medicine. Accordingly, sexual behavior that deviated from the established norm, however it was defined at the time, was declared sinful, criminal, or sick. Deviant behavior, then, called for penitence, punishment, or a cure. This historical heritage still influences our thinking about sexual deviation. Do persons with sexual deviation suffer from an evil nature, a criminal/ psychopathic disposition, or a mental illness? We do not presume to answer such a question because, like most questions relating to sexual behavior, it hinges on personal values and beliefs. There are currently no universal and objective criteria for evaluating the adaptive value of sexual attitudes and practices. Outside of sexual homicide, no sexual behavior is universally deemed dysfunctional. Although most definitions of sex-
The Genetic Basis of Kidney Cancer and Implications for Targeted Therapies

Kidney cancer is not a single disease but a number of different types of epithelial tumors of the kidney, each with a different histology, a different clinical course, and caused by a different gene defect. Studies of families with inherited forms of kidney cancer, including von Hippel–Lindau, hereditary papillary renal carcinoma, Birt–Hogg–Dube syndrome, hereditary leiomyomatosis renal cell carcinoma, succinate dehydrogenase-familial renal cancer, and tuberous sclerosis complex, have led to the identification of seven kidney cancer predisposing genes—VHL, MET, FLCN, FH, SDH, TSC1, and TSC2. Knowledge of the pathways of these kidney cancer genes has provided the basis for development of targeted therapeutic approaches for patients with sporadic, non-inherited, as well as hereditary forms of kidney cancer.
Chronic Sorrow in Caregiving Spouses of Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

The article focuses on the concept of chronic sorrow in a sample of individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and their caregiving spouses. A study was designed to determine the long-term grief or chronic sorrow that develops in caregiving spouses and to increase knowledge of the nature of chronic sorrow. Utilizing the Burke Nursing Consortium for Research on Chronic Sorrow questionnaire and Lindgren's (1996) study as a prototype, the author discovered that repetitive feelings of sorrow and distress appear in caregivers when major disruptive changes occur in their lives due to the persistent demands caused by the illness. Continual coping skills are needed to keep caregivers from being mentally, emotionally, and physically depleted. The findings of this study are consistent with Lindgren's 1996 study of chronic sorrow in persons with Parkinson's disease.
Ranges and Distributions of Ions Implanted in Dielectrics

The projected range and range straggling of Zn, Ga, As, Se, Ce, and Te implanted in SiO2, Si3N3, and Al2O3 at energies between 150 and 300+keV were measured by backscattering techniques with 2.0 MeV He ions. The range distributions were measured relative to the thickness of the dielectric films by an analytical method which is insensitive to errors in the stopping power of He ions in dielectrics. The projected ranges, pp in LSS normalized units, as a function of LSS normalized energy, e, followed the relationship p=2.7e where the arithmetic average atomic number of the target M2=20, average atomic number Z2=20 and average mass number Z2=20 were used for all three dielectrics. The projected range values were systematically greater than LSS calculations by ratios of 1.2 to 1.5. Heat treatment of 900°C after implantation produced a movement of Zn, Ga, and Cd in SiO2 toward the surface. This motion was shown to be associated with radiation damage in SiO2. No motion was detected for other species in SiO2, nor for any of the implanted species in Si3N4 and A1203 for anneal temperatures up to 1000°C for 30 minutes.
Hydrogels for cardiac repair

Abstract: In the last decade, advancements have been made towards developing injectable hydrogels for the purpose of cardiac repair. Hydrogel injections alone have been shown to attenuate the decline in cardiac function and left ventricular remodeling typically seen after myocardial infarction in both large and small animal models. Furthermore, hydrogels have also been shown to improve cell retention when co-injected for cellular cardiomyoplasty and to prolong release of therapeutics when used as a delivery vehicle. This chapter will review the basics of hydrogel properties and discuss recent studies of hydrogels alone and in conjunction with cells or therapeutics for cardiac repair.
Model-averaged regression coefficients have a straightforward interpretation using causal conditioning

Abstract Model-averaged regression coefficients have been criticized for averaging over a set of models with parameters that have different meanings from model to model. This criticism arises because of confusion between two different parameters estimated by the coefficients of a statistical model. Ever since Fisher, the textbook definition of a coefficient (a “differences in conditional means”) takes its meaning from probabilistic conditioning (P(Y|X)). Because the parameter estimated with probabilistic conditioning is conditional on a specific set of covariates, its meaning varies from model to model. The coefficients in many applied statistical models, however, take their meaning from causal conditioning (P(Y|do(X))) and these coefficients estimate causal effect parameters (or simply, causal effects or Average Treatment Effects). Causal effect parameters are also differences in conditional expectations, but the event conditioned on is not the set of covariates in a statistical model but a hypothetical intervention. Because an effect parameter takes its meaning from causal and not probabilistic conditioning, it is the same from model to model, and an averaged coefficient has a straightforward interpretation as an estimate of a causal effect. Because an effect parameter is the same from model to model, the estimates of the parameter will generally be biased. By contrast, with probabilistic conditioning, the coefficients are consistent estimates of their parameter in every model, but the parameter differs from model to model. Confounding and omitted variable bias, which are central to explanatory modeling, are meaningless in statistical modeling as mere description. The argument developed here only addresses the “different parameters” criticism of model-averaged coefficients and is not advocating model averaging more generally.
Interpersonal discourses between parent and LGBTQ child

In this article, we explore communication between parents and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ) children. We conducted a contrapuntal analysis of interpersonal discourses id...
Multidimensional infrared spectroscopy of a peptide intramolecular hydrogen bond

Abstract Stimulated three pulse photon echoes and heterodyned 2D IR echoes of acetylproline-NHMe in CHCl 3 are reported. A global fitting of the pump/probe decays of the internally hydrogen bonded N–H stretching vibration of AcProNHMe in CHCl 3 gives two population relaxation times of 400 and 1300 fs, which suggest the existence of different hydrogen bonded structures. Two different responses are clearly demonstrated in the 2D spectra, | S ∼ ( τ , T , ω t ) | ; one of them appears to be a more homogeneous response than the other. This function peaks at τ -values which decrease with a sub-100 fs time constant to a plateau of ca. τ = 70 fs. This decay implies fast spectral diffusion and the persistent non-zero offset suggests that a large static inhomogeneity exists in the whole time range considered in this experiment, which implies the existence of a rigid hydrogen bonded structure on the time scale of many picoseconds. The spectral shape of the 2D IR could not be reproduced by conventional responses for independent oscillators having overlapping transitions. It is suggested that the two hydrogen bond configurations are exchanging rapidly and the shape of the 2D IR spectra is determined by the two chemically interchanging structures. In this paper multidimensional IR spectroscopy clearly shows the potential to disentangle congested spectra by spreading them into two dimensions and expose multiple structures, which are not seen distinctly in the FTIR spectra. The correlation function of the H-bonded N–H group is dominated by a ca. 100 fs component that is suggested to represent overdamped internal structure fluctuations.
Type-II superlattice-based heterojunction phototransistors for high speed applications

Abstract In this study, high speed performance of heterojunction phototransistors (HPTs) based on InAs/GaSb/AlSb type-II superlattice with 30 nm base thickness and 50% cut-off wavelength of 2.0 μm at room temperature are demonstrated. We studied the relationship between −3 dB cut-off frequency of these HPT versus mesa size, applied bias, and collector layer thickness. For 8 μm diameter circular mesas HPT devices with a 0.5 μm collector layer, under 20 V applied bias voltage, we achieved a −3 dB cut-off frequency of 2.8 GHz.
Mixed Integer Programming Approaches to Treatment Planning for Brachytherapy – Application to Permanent Prostate Implants

Mixed integer programming models and computational strategies developed for treatment planning optimization in brachytherapy are described. The problem involves the designation of optimal placement of radioactive sources (seeds) inside a tumor site. Two MIP models are described. The resulting MIP instances are difficult to solve, due in large part to dense constraint matrices with large disparities in the magnitudes of the nonzero entries. A matrix reduction and approximation scheme is presented as a computational strategy for dealing with the dense matrices. Penalty-based primal heuristic and branching strategies to assist in the solution process are also described. Numerical results are presented for 20 MIP instances associated with prostate cancer cases. Compared to currently used computer-aided planning methods, plans derived via the MIP approach use fewer seeds (20–30 fewer) and needles, and provide better coverage and conformity – measures commonly used to assess the quality of treatment plans. Good treatment plans are returned in 15 CPU minutes, suggesting that incorporation of this MIP-based optimization module into a real-time comprehensive treatment planning system is feasible.
Testing monotonic trends among multiple group means against a composite null

Abstract In biomedical applications, it is often of interest to test the alternative hypothesis that the means of three or more groups follow a strictly monotonic trend such as µ1> µ2> µ3 against the null hypothesis that the group means are either equal or unequal but are not monotonic. This is useful, for example, for detecting biomarkers whose level in healthy, low-risk cancer and aggressive cancer subjects increases or decreases throughout the three groups. Various trend tests are available for testing monotonic alternatives. However, existing methods are designed for a highly restrictive null hypothesis where all group means are equal, which represents a special case of the null space in our problem. We demonstrate that these methods fail to control type I error when the group means may be unequal under the null. To test this broader null hypothesis, develop a greedy testing method which has an intuitive interpretation related to two-sample t tests. We show both theoretically and through simulations that the proposed method effectively controls type 1 error throughout the entire null space and achieves higher power than a naive implementation of multiple t-tests. We illustrate the greedy trend test method in real data to study microbial associations with parasite-related pathology in zebrafish.
Experimental Characterization, Modeling, and Analysis of Crosstalk in a Quantum Computer

In this article, we present the experimental characterization of crosstalk in quantum information processor using idle tomography and simultaneous randomized benchmarking. We quantify both “quantum” and “classical” crosstalk in the device and analyze quantum circuits considering crosstalk. We show that simulation considering only gate-error deviates from experimental results up to $27\%$ , whereas simulation considering both gate error and crosstalk match the experiments more accurately with an average mismatch as low as $4.52\%$ . This article enables simulation of quantum circuits with experimental crosstalk error rates.
Enhancing SLP Students' Perceptions of Older Persons and Collaborative Practice Through Geriatric Interprofessional Teamwork

Purpose To address the need for practice-ready geriatric health professionals, the Seniors Assisting in Geriatric Education (SAGE) program was developed and implemented by two partnering institutio...
Fetal arrhythmia: An institutional experience

Fetal arrhythmias occur commonly, but most are benign. Clinically significant arrhythmias should be distinguished and managed. Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and severe bradycardia from complete heart block (CHB) can progress to heart failure and hydrops fetalis. This retrospective review of 2042 fetal echocardiograms aims to characterize an institutional experience with fetal arrhythmias. 131 fetuses were referred for arrhythmia evaluation. Premature atrial contractions (PACs) were found in 67 (51%) of which a third had a prominent atrial septal aneurysm. 49 (37%) had sinus rhythm (no noted arrhythmia). 15 (11%) had hemodynamically significant arrhythmias, which included fetal tachycardias in 12 (9%) and CHB in 3 (2%). All fetuses with tachycardia had structurally normal hearts. 10 had fetal SVT (3 with hydrops and 7 without hydrops) and 2 had atrial flutter (1 with hydrops and 1 without hydrops). All fetuses in tachycardia were converted to sinus rhythm and 2 required antiarrhythmic treatment after birth. CHB was found in 3 fetuses. Major cardiac malformations and hydrops were noted in 2 of these fetuses, both resulting in fetal demise. The third fetus with CHB had a structurally normal heart, was associated with maternal systemic lupus erythematosus (positive SS-A, SS-B antibodies), and required a pacemaker after birth. PACs and sinus rhythm were the most common diagnosis in fetuses referred for arrhythmia evaluation. Despite the presence of hydrops, SVTs responded well to maternal administration of antiarrhythmic therapy and were successfully converted to sinus rhythm. CHB can be associated with maternal autoimmune disease and certain cardiac malformations. The prognosis of CHB in the presence of cardiac disease is poor.
Results of an international LEED intensity project: II. Evaluation of structural parameters

Five experimental sets of LEED intensity data from Cu{001} collected in different laboratories were used for separate structure analyses aimed at the determinations of the relaxations of the first two interlayer spacings. The analyses were done in order to provide some estimates of the variation in LEED structural results caused by variations in sample preparation and data collection, Each analysis was made with the same data-handling procedure and with three different reliability factors. The results reflect the fact, noted in part I, that different data sets exhibit notable differences among peak positions and peak heights in equivalent I-V spectra. The largest difference between structural parameters from different sets is 0.07 A (in one instance), but the standard deviation from the mean is about 0.03 A.
Upper and Lower Bounds to Quantum-Mechanical Properties

Publisher Summary This chapter presents aspects of the recent progress in the development of upper and lower bounds to quantum-mechanical properties. The survey is necessarily incomplete with several important topics barely mentioned or even omitted entirely and special emphasis has been placed throughout on the particular line of developments associated with determinantal inequalities. The chapter also describes the general procedure for obtaining upper and lower bounds from determinantal inequalities and the connection with certain other approaches. The chapter illustrates the application of these and other methods to various quantum-mechanical properties such as energy eigenvalues, scattering phase shifts, overlap, expectation values, transition moments, and second-order properties. It is now possible to write expressions for rigorous upper or lower bounds to many quantum-mechanical properties of interest. These may be used to judge the accuracy of estimates calculated from other methods or they might themselves be made the basis for new computational procedures. The latter possibility is particularly appealing for properties such as oscillator strengths that are determined only poorly or erratically by the usual energy-minimization procedure.
Supporting the building and analysis of an infrastructure portfolio using UML deployment diagrams

Rational, objective analysis of an infrastructure portfolio requires that the portfolio be represented in a consistent and understandable way. For an organization whose portfolio includes legacy systems, systems under development, systems on fundamentally different and incongruous platforms, and systems with little or no documentation, the task is daunting. This paper describes work currently being undertaken to represent the IT portfolio of Ford Motor Company from an infrastructure perspective using UML deployment diagrams. The objective of the work is to support the analysis of the portfolio and its subsequent alignment with key IT strategies. To accomplish this, the UML deployment diagram was extended and a template created. This paper discusses the extensions, the template, and its ongoing deployment to the organization. Tool considerations and future work are discussed as well
Biological Control of Invading Species--Risk and Reform

Conservation relies increasingly on biological control (BC) of organisms that invade in natural and agricultural areas throughout the world. However, some BC organisms have harmed native species. In the United States, regulations are based on old laws meant to bar agricultural pests, and these are particularly ineffective in protecting native invertebrate animals. Improved ecological safety of BC depends on recognizing that BC is not appropriate for every pest, factoring ecological safety into the selection of BC agents, and limiting the importation and dissemination of agents that can harm either native animals or plants. Reasonable reform of BC will insure the viability of this valuable tool for both agriculture and conservation.
Looking for Diastolic Dysfunction

To the Editor: Zile et al1 simplify the diagnosis of diastolic dysfunction by offering an easy approach: normal ejection fraction in a patient with heart failure strongly suggests diastolic dysfunction. Still, one needs an echocardiogram. I am surprised that they, like others,2,3⇓ do not make this difficult-seeming diagnosis even easier: if a patient is in heart failure and the point of maximum impulse (PMI) is not …
Hospital nurses working wounded: motivations and obstacles to return to work as experienced by nurses with injuries.

BACKGROUND: Despite the high rate of work-related injuries among hospital nurses, there is limited understanding of factors that serve to motivate or hinder nurses return to work following injury. OBJECTIVES: Perspectives of nurses with work related injuries, as they relate to obstacles and motivations to return to work, consequences of injury, and influences of work climate were documented. METHODS: This was a sub-study of nurses taken from a larger investigation of hospital workers. A purposive sample of 16 nurses was interviewed. Analysis was carried out using grounded theory as the research method. RESULTS: Nurses' responses fell into four concepts: organizational influences, personal conditions, costs and losses, and employee health as influenced by workers' compensation systems. Conceptualization of these concepts resulted in key categories: injury as an expected consequence of hospital work; nursing alone versus nursing together; the impact of injury on professional, family, and social roles; and nurses' understanding of and involvement with the workers' compensation system. DISCUSSION: The findings provide new perspective into features that support or hinder nurses' with injuries return to work and corroborate existing occupational health research. Consideration of these findings by hospital and employee health managers may help promote more effective return to work programs within the hospital setting. Language: en
Biometric template selection: a case study in fingerprints

A biometric authentication system operates by acquiring biometric data from a user and comparing it against the template data stored in a database in order to identify a person or to verify a claimed identity. Most systems store multiple templates per user to account for variations in a person's biometric data. In this paper we propose two techniques to automatically select prototype fingerprint templates for a finger from a given set of fingerprint impressions. The first method, called DEND, performs clustering in order to choose a template set that best represents the intra-class variations, while the second method, called MDIST, selects templates that have maximum similarity with the rest of the impressions and, therefore, represent typical measurements of biometric data. Matching results on a database of 50 different fingers, with 100 impressions per finger, indicate that a systematic template selection procedure as presented here results in better performance than random template selection.
Whole-body protein kinetics in marasmus and kwashiorkor during acute infection

Marasmus and kwashiorkor are clinically distinct manifestations of severe malnutrition. This study tested the hypothesis that rates of whole-body protein synthesis and breakdown are higher in marasmus than in kwashiorkor during acute infection. We measured whole-body protein kinetics using stable isotope tracers in eight children with marasmus and acute infection (pneumonia or malaria) to determine the rate of appearance of urea and leucine in plasma. Serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, and C-reactive protein were also measured. These findings were compared with those reported previously for 13 children with kwashiorkor (including marasmic kwashiorkor) and acute infection who were studied with the same methods. HIV infection was present in 10 of 21 children. Rates of protein breakdown and synthesis were higher in marasmus than in kwashiorkor (227 +/- 59 compared with 103 +/- 30 micromol leucine x kg(-1) x h(-1) and 216 +/- 60 compared with 97 +/- 30 micromol leucine x kg(-1) x h(-1), P < 0.001). The concentration of globulin (total protein minus albumin) was higher in marasmus than kwashiorkor (40 +/- 17 compared with 25 +/- 7 g/L, P < or = 0.01), but C-reactive protein was not different (73 +/- 79 compared with 83 +/- 89 mg/L). HIV infection and body composition did not explain the differences between marasmus and kwashiorkor. The accelerated rate of protein turnover in children with marasmus and acute infection requires further investigation.
Human enhancement via the transfer of power and information signals

A human's ability to perform physical tasks is limited by physical strength, not by intelligence. We define "extenders" as a class of robot manipulators worn by humans to augment human mechanical strength, while the wearer's intellect remains the central control system for manipulating the extender. Some major areas of application for the extender include manufacturing, construction, loading and unloading aircraft, maneuvering cargo in shipyards, foundries, mining, or any situation which requires precise and complex movement of heavy objects. Our research objective is to determine the ground rules for the control and design of robotic systems worn by humans through the design, construction, and control of a prototype experimental hydraulic extender for manufacturing operation.
Small-fiber sensory neuropathies: Clinical course and neuropathology of idiopathic cases

We describe the clinical features, natural history, and neuropathology of 32 patients presenting with “burning feet”, for whom no specific cause was identified. All had neuropathic pain in the feet and morphological abnormalities of cutaneous innervation in skin obtained using punch biopsy. Most (29) had an abnormal sensory examination. All had normal strength, proprioception, tendon reflexes, and nerve conductions. Two clinical patterns were apparent, based on natural history and spatial distribution of cutaneous denervation. Most (28) patients presented with neuropathic pain initially restricted to the feet and toes but extending more proximally to involve the legs and hands with time. Intraepidermal nerve fiber (IENF) density was most severely reduced distally, with more normal IENF densities in skin from proximal sites. In contrast, a minority (4) presented with the abrupt onset of generalized cutaneous burning pain and hyperesthesia. In these patients, IENF densities were reduced in skin from both proximal and distal sites. Absolute IENF densities in calf skin were reduced below the lower limit of normal (5th percentile) in 26 (81%). Of the 6 who underwent sural nerve biopsy, 4 had selective loss of small myelinated and/or unmyelinated axons and 2 had normal histology and fiber densities despite reduced IENF densities in skin biopsy specimens. Punch skin biopsy from proximal and distal sites is a useful means of assessing these distinctive patients and may provide further insight into pathophysiology.
A problem-solving formulation of depression: A literature review and proposal of a pluralistic model☆

Abstract This article first provides an overall review of the literature addressing the relation between social problem solving and depression. Based in part on this body of research, a pluralistic model of depression is presented that utilizes a problem-solving framework. It is argued that adoption of such a model provides for a heuristic metaphor that attempts to describe how various current behavioral and cognitive-behavioral theories of depression interact with each other. Essentially, it is posited that depression can be activated by the interaction of stressful events and/or problems and various problem-solving deficits. Speculations concerning the relation between this model and biological correlates of depression are also offered.
Temporal neocortical afferent connections to the amygdala in the rhesus monkey

The temporal neocortical afferent connections to the amygdala were investigated in the rhesus monkey using the silver impregnation and autoradiographic tracing methods. A large topographically organized projection to the amygdala was found to originate from the anterior superior temporal gyrus (area TA), the anterior middle and inferior temporal gyri (area TE), and the medial and lateral aspects of the temporal pole (area TG). These projections terminate in discrete adjacent regions of the lateral and basal amygdaloid nuclei. The temporal pole projection terminates in the ventral two thirds of the medial one half of the lateral nucleus and in the accessory basal nucleus, the anterior superior temporal gyrus projection terminates in the ventral two thirds of the lateral one half of the lateral nucleus, and the anterior middle and inferior temporal gyri projection terminates in the dorsal parts of the lateral and lateral basal nuclei. A projection from the perirhinal cortex to the medial basal nucleus of the amygdala is also discussed. Our findings reveal that a far greater proportion of the temporal neocortex than previously described contributes afferents to the amygdala, further strengthening the view that the amygdala occupies a key anatomical position linking the neocortex with diencephalic structures.
Impact of an abuse history on the health outcomes among blacks and whites with chronic pain

The association between physical and sexual abuse among men and women with chronic pain is under-examined. We hypothesized that the pain experience for men and women with an abuse history differed according to abuse type and age at which abuse occurred. A prospective cohort study involving chronic pain patients 18-50 years at a tertiary care pain center was conducted. Data on sexual and physical abuse (Drossman Abuse Questionnaire; DAQ), pain severity, functioning and PTSD were collected. Participants completing the DAQ were included in analyses (N 165; 91% response). Most subjects were women (64%), educated (68% high school), in a long-term relationship (51%), employed (59%), and White (50%). Prior analysis identified six 3-item abuse factors (a .77-.91): sexual molestation, sexual penetration (rape), and physical abuse in both childhood and adulthood. Decreased general health was associated only with rape in childhood (p .03). However, decreased mental health was associated with molestation, penetration, and physical abuse in childhood (p .02; .004; .01 respectively) and adult physical abuse (p .05). While increased sensory pain was associated only with physical abuse in adulthood (p .04); affective pain was associated with all abuse scales in childhood and molestation and physical abuse in adulthood; though molestation in childhood was predictive only of higher affective pain for men (p .03). Decreased functioning was predicted by childhood rape (p .03). Regarding PTSD, men with childhood or adulthood molestation (p .01; p .008) and penetration (p .02; p .03) reported more PTSD than non-abused men. Overall an interaction between pain experiences and abuse patterns was identified. Pain is perceived more emotionally by abused people. In some measures this is more true for men than women. These findings support the clinical need to enquire about an abuse history from both men and women. Further research should evaluate pain’s affective component in abused men and women.
Tautology: How not to use a word

In 1923 C. I. Lewis wrote to F. J. Woodbridge, editor of The Journal of Philosophy: Have you looked at Wittgenstein’s new book yet? I am discouraged by Russell’s foolishness in writing the introduction to such nonsense. I fear it will be looked upon as what symbolic logic leads to. If so, it will be the death of the subject. 1
Analysis of nonlinear microwave circuits using the harmonic balance technique

An efficient implementation of the harmonic balance method, using novel numerical algorithms, that are both robust and efficient, coupled with analytical expressions developed for the elements of the Jacobian matrix, is presented. The approach possesses excellent convergence property and speed. Simulated performances using the developed approach for a 10-GHz GaAs MESFET amplifier are found in good agreement with the measured results. Developed techniques should be very useful for analyzing nonlinear microwave as well as optical components.
Criteria for the design of an excitonic superconductor

The Bardeen, Cooper, and Schrieffer (BCS) theory of superconductivity has provided an understanding of virtually all phenomena associated with the superconducting state. In recent years, great progress has been made in extending some aspects of this understanding to other types of ordered states, particularly in quasi-one-dimensional systems. This growth of understanding allows one to reexamine the question whether or not higher temperature superconductivity of the excitonic variety might be realized in these or other systems. We show first what the general conditions are for superconductivity in these systems, and then propose a specific type of polymeric structure, in which sufficiently strong excitonic interactions can be expected to lead to interesting behavior.
Image Processing On Hypercube Multiprocessors

This research is concerned with developing efficient algorithms and paradigms to solve geometric problems for digitized pictures on hypercube multiprocessors. At present, it appears that commercially available medium-grained hypercube multiprocessors are not well suited to low level vision tasks, such as convolution and Hough transform. Therefore, our research has focused on medium level vision problems involving connectivity, proximity, and convexity. In this paper, data reduction techniques are developed for medium level vision tasks. These techniques are used to present efficient hypercube algorithms for solving the convex hull problem. Results are given for implementing a variety of convex hull algorithms on an Intel iPSC1 hypercube. Implementation issues and algorithm paradigms are discussed in their relationship to the running times of the algorithms on this machine.
Evaluation of Shell SD 8447, SD 8448, and SD 8436 as candidate systemic insecticides for control of common and northern cattle grubs.

Three materials of low mammalian toxicity from the Shell Development Company, SD 8447 (2-chloro-1-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl) vinyl dimethyl phosphate), SD 8448 (2-chloro-1-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl) vinyl diethyl phosphate), and SD 8436 (2-chloro-1-(2,4-dibromophenyl) vinyl dimethyl phosphate) showed moderate systemic activity against the northern cattle grub Hypoderma bovis (L.), and the common cattle grub H. lineatum (de Villers), when they were applied to calves by the pour-on procedure. Although early tests indicated 89-100% control with these materials, later tests produced 41 and 60% control on animals treated with SD 8447 at 30 g/head and 46 and 73% control on animals treated with SD 8436 at 20 g/head. SD 8448 was not included in the later tests. The materials produced no significant cholinesterase depression, no indication of toxicity, and no significant differentials in weight gain.
Energies and lifetimes of xenon Rydberg states near a metal surface

Abstract We present calculations of the lifetime broadening and the shifts of the Rydberg states of a xenon atom near a metal surface. The Xe atom is modeled using an effective potential that accounts for the experimentally observed quantum defects. The hybridization of the Xe levels are found to be very different from the hybridization of the corresponding Rydberg levels of a hydrogen atom. The Xe level shifts and broadenings exhibit a relatively complicated dependence on atom–surface separation.
Parameter Estimation of Reinforced Soil Based on Neural Networks

This paper presents the application of neural networks for estimating constitutive parameters of a nonlinear elastic model. The model is used to describe mechanical behavior of soil reinforced with fiber and lime. First, shear modulus and soil strength are assumed to be unknown nonlinear functions of multiple variables such as fiber and lime contents, confining pressure and sample aging periods. Then, a multilayer neural network is designed to map the highly nonlinear functions. Finally, conventional triaxial shearing tests are conducted with nine groups of soil samples to provide the experimental data for training and testing the neural network. The neural network model is compared to a linear regression model with exponential parameters. Results indicate the neural network approach is more efficient and the neural model provides much higher accuracy than the linear regression model.
Possible oblate shape of 92− isomer in 199Tl

Abstract Low-lying 9 2 − isomeric states have been previously observed in the neutron-deficient oddmass thallium nuclei from mass 201 to 193. But there has as yet been no satisfactory explanation for the existence of such states, as the closest single-particle state is the h 9 2 orbital some 4 MeV higher in energy. We have studied the transitions and states leading to this isomeric level in 199Tl by in-beam spectroscopic techniques. Among the most prominent states observed above the isomeric level are an 11 2 − , 13 2 − , and possibly a 15 2 − state. Very similar levels have been found in the other light odd-mass thallium nuclei. Combining a pairing-energy correction suggested by Blomqvist with the idea that the observed negative parity levels form a rotational band based on the 9 2 − [505] Nilsson state in a nucleus with oblate deformation seems to explain all the information presently available on these levels.