cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conversion of C14-S-adenosylmethionine to C14- formaldehyde and condensation with indoleamines: A side reaction in N-methyltransferase assay in blood

Abstract Incubation of N-methylserotonin (NMS) with erythrocyte hemolyzates and C 14 -S-adenosylmethionine (C 14 -SAM) leads to the formation of an unidentified product rather than the expected bufotenin. It is shown that this compound is a condensation product of NMS with C 14 -formaldehyde formed enzymatically from C 14 -SAM. Incubation of rabbit lung homogenates however, leads to formation of the expected product. Previous reports of N-methyltransferase activity in blood and perhaps other tissues should be re-evaluated in light of these findings, if rigorous proof of identity was not carried out.
Inhibitors of Platelet Adhesion

Platelet aggregation, in fundamental terms, is considered a biological end point that contributes to the occurrence of clinical events among patients with advanced atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. Acute coronary syndrome, including non–ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), accounts for upward of 733 000 hospital admissions yearly in the United States.1 The primary pathophysiological mechanism responsible for the majority of acute coronary syndromes is endothelial plaque disruption with and subsequent platelet adhesion, activation, and thrombus formation.2 The end result is formation of thrombus within a coronary artery, leading to subtotal vessel occlusion with NSTEMI and complete occlusion of the artery with STEMI. In this review, we provide a contemporary view of platelet adhesion as a highly coordinated and teleologically conserved process achieved by surface receptors, protein ligands, and matrix proteins operating at the platelet–subendothelium interface. We also discuss drugs in development, including monoclonal antibodies, inhibitory peptides, and oligonucleotides; preclinical data; and, where available, clinical trial results, highlighting the potential translation of fundamental constructs in platelet biology to patient care. Platelets are derived from a hematopoietic bone marrow stem cell precursor.3 Through a highly conserved program of cellular differentiation, this stem cell precursor becomes a megakaryocyte at a rate of approximately 100 000 000 megakaryocytes produced per day.3 Subsequently, each individual megakaryocyte will give rise to approximately 500 platelets via additional developmental steps within the bone marrow that involve a proplatelet intermediate stage.3 Once released into circulation, a mature platelet has an expected life span of 7 to 10 days.3 Platelet maturation and development involve the expression of receptors on the platelet cell surface. These receptors facilitate platelet adhesion and activation, and they promote thrombus development through receptor–ligand interactions, with several ligands expressed on the surface of endothelial cells, within the …
Thin films of II–VI compounds and alloys

II–VI semiconductors and their alloys are promising thin film photovoltaic materials. Polycrystalline films of cadmium telluride (CdTe), zinc telluride (ZnTe), cadmium zinc telluride (CdxZn1−xTe), and mercury zinc telluride (HgxZn1−xTe) were deposited onto glass and transparent-conducting-semiconductor (TCS) coated glass substrates by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. Emphasis was directed to the doping of CdTe films, ohmic contacts to p-CdTe, and thin film CdTe homojunctions. CdTe films may be doped intrinsically or extrinsically; gallium and arsenic were used as the extrinsic n and p dopant respectively. p+-ZnTe films deposited in situ were used as an ohmic contact to p-CdTe films. Thin film CdTe homojunctions were prepared by the successive in situ deposition of n-CdTe, p-CdTe, and p+-ZnTe films on SnO2-coated glass substrates, and their properties were investigated. The properties of CdxZn1−xTe and HgxZn1−xTe films with band gap energy in the range 1.65–1.75 eV deposited onto glass and TCS-coated glass substrates were studied.
The impact of different types of assistive devices on gait measures and safety in Huntington's disease.

Background Gait and balance impairments lead to frequent falls and injuries in individuals with Huntington's disease (HD). Assistive devices (ADs) such as canes and walkers are often prescribed to prevent falls, but their efficacy is unknown. We systematically examined the effects of different types of ADs on quantitative gait measures during walking in a straight path and around obstacles. Methods Spatial and temporal gait parameters were measured in 21 subjects with HD as they walked across a GAITRite walkway under 7 conditions (i.e., using no AD and 6 commonly prescribed ADs: a cane, a weighted cane, a standard walker, and a 2, 3 or 4 wheeled walker). Subjects also were timed and observed for number of stumbles and falls while walking around two obstacles in a figure-of-eight pattern. Results Gait measure variability (i.e., coefficient of variation), an indicator of fall risk, was consistently better when using the 4WW compared to other ADs. Subjects also walked the fastest and had the fewest number of stumbles and falls when using the 4WW in the figure-of-eight course. Subjects walked significantly slower using ADs compared to no AD both across the GAITRite and in the figure-of-eight. Measures reflecting gait stability and safety improved with the 4WW but were made worse by some other ADs.
Evaluation of non-adherence in patients undergoing dialysis and kidney transplantation: United States transplantation practice patterns survey.

Abstract Introduction We performed a survey of United States transplantation centers to evaluate practice patterns in the assessment of nonadherence before and after kidney transplantation. Methods An electronically administered, anonymous survey was sent to 181 United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) approved transplantation centers in 2012. Results Seventy-nine centers completed our survey. Of them, 51.3% had a protocol to evaluate medication/dialysis adherence before the listing; most common (36.4%) was the Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire. As an alternative to a questionnaire, the most common measure of nonadherence was the number of missed hemodialysis sessions (77.0%). The most common reason for poor adherence to dialysis regimens was difficulty with transportation (81.3%). Also, 94.4% noted the lack of a questionnaire to evaluate adherence to medications but relied on drug levels (73.4%) and self report. Only 12.9% used a questionnaire for the measurement of quality of life (Karnofsky performance scale). Of the participating centers, 27.1% used a formal cognitive testing for potential living donors. A social worker was used by most centers for nonadherent patients. Respondents indicated that patients (in the pretransplantation state) were more compliant with dialysis than with medication regimens. Finally, 37.7% of respondents noted graft failure due to medication nonadherence in 15% to 29% of their patients. Conclusions There was a significant variability in the methods of screening for nonadherence while the patient was on dialysis, during pretransplantation work up, and during post-transplantation follow-up examinations. We recommend that there should be a standardized technique to evaluate nonadherence to facilitate focused clinical trials to improve adherence.
Amygdaloid complex and medial hypothalamic nucleus functioning in food regulation

Abstract Seventy-four male albino rats were tested pre- and postoperatively for changes in effect of adulteration of stock diet with 0.125% quinine sulfate or 33% glucose. The hypothesis was that the amygdaloid complex area serves as a control system in food regulation by metering palatability and the hypothalamic area serves by metering food value (calories) ignoring palatability. The prediction was that amygdaloid complex lesioned animals would show no reduction in intake after addition of quinine (food value unchanged) and show a decrease in intake after addition of glucose (food value increased) and that the hypothalamic lesioned animals would show a reduction in intake after addition of quinine (bad taste) and show an increase in intake after addition of glucose (good taste). The hypothesis was not confirmed: hypothalamic lesioned rats ate less of almost all foods postoperatively than the sham operates, and the amygdaloid complex lesioned rats did not show the predicted loss of appetite.
Measurement of unregulated emissions: Some heavy duty diesel engine results

Abstract Development of analytical capabilities to evaluate unregulated emissions are discussed. The sampling and analysis methods along with some problem areas are included. Results obtained on three heavy-duty diesel engines are reported. Emphasis was placed on analysis of the particulate fraction including the solvent extractable material. Preliminary experiments suggest appreciable quantities of organic extract and B a P pass through the primary filter. Other species analyzed to obtain a baseline for emission reduction research included aldehydes, sulfates, sulfur dioxide, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and hydrogen cyanide. Of primary concern is the proper assessment of the results.
On the Douglas-Rachford splitting method and the proximal point algorithm for maximal monotone operators

This paper shows, by means of an operator called asplitting operator, that the Douglas--Rachford splitting method for finding a zero of the sum of two monotone operators is a special case of the proximal point algorithm. Therefore, applications of Douglas--Rachford splitting, such as the alternating direction method of multipliers for convex programming decomposition, are also special cases of the proximal point algorithm. This observation allows the unification and generalization of a variety of convex programming algorithms. By introducing a modified version of the proximal point algorithm, we derive a new,generalized alternating direction method of multipliers for convex programming. Advances of this sort illustrate the power and generality gained by adopting monotone operator theory as a conceptual framework.
Handedness and lateral positioning in heterosexual couples: Are men still strong-arming women?

This study examined the way in which heterosexual couples arrange themselves while walking together. In same-handed couples, significantly more females were on the males' preferred (dominant) side than expected by chance — especially when the partners were touching. Apparently, handedness and lateral positioning combine to reflect a male-dominance tendency in this type of situation. In opposite-handed couples, males and females put their dominant sides together, especially when touching. Social implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are also discussed.
Bio-inspired motion planning algorithms for autonomous robots facilitating greater plasticity for security applications

Proposed are techniques toward using collaborative robots for infrastructure security applications by utilizing them for mobile sensor suites. A vast number of critical facilities/technologies must be protected against unauthorized intruders. Employing a team of mobile robots working cooperatively can alleviate valuable human resources. Addressed are the technical challenges for multi-robot teams in security applications and the implementation of multi-robot motion planning algorithm based on the patrolling and threat response scenario. A neural network based methodology is exploited to plan a patrolling path with complete coverage. Also described is a proof-of-principle experimental setup with a group of Pioneer 3-AT and Centibot robots. A block diagram of the system integration of sensing and planning will illustrate the robot to robot interaction to operate as a collaborative unit. The proposed approach singular goal is to overcome the limits of previous approaches of robots in security applications and enabling systems to be deployed for autonomous operation in an unaltered environment providing access to an all encompassing sensor suite.
Protein Translocation through an Electrically Tunable Membrane

Understanding protein dynamics through an artificial nanopore has implications in many areas such as sensing and filtering. Collecting statistical information while tracking the movement of a full atomic protein model is computationally expensive since number of atoms ranges in the thousands. The need to represent protein with a computationally cost effective model is imperative, along with understanding its dynamics through the nanopore. In this work we studied the dynamics of the protein insulin placed near a nanopore of an electrically tunable semiconductor membrane. Using Brownian dynamics method we calculated the trajectory of the modeled protein in the electrolyte-membrane electrostatic potential. The time spent by the protein before a successful translocation and the translocation times were both analyzed. Our results indicate that the localized electric field within the nanopore affects the movement of the protein. Also, by comparing the results of the full atomic protein model with a coarse grained model and a single bead model, we evaluate which model best approximates the full atomic protein model.
A latent class approach to treatment readiness corresponds to a transtheoretical ("Stages of Change") model.

Abstract Motivation for treatment among people with substance use problems is an important aspect of treatment success. Models for treatment motivation are widely debated. Latent Class Analysis can help to demonstrate the appropriateness of available models. The current study utilizes Latent Class Analysis to analyze treatment readiness statements as they relate to the reduction or cessation of marijuana, cocaine, and opioid use among 539 cocaine and opioid users recruited from the community of Baltimore, MD, USA. Participants completed an in-person structured interview including demographic questions, a treatment readiness questionnaire with items on Intention to Stop Use (ISU) and Problem Recognition (PR), current substance abuse treatment utilization, and urinalysis testing for marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. Latent class models were fit to the treatment readiness questionnaire. A four-class model provided the best fit with one class low on both ISU and PR (“Pre-contemplative”), a second class low on ISU but high on PR (“Contemplative”), a third class high on both (“Preparation/Action”), and a final class high on ISU but low on PR (“Post-Action”). Compared to the “Contemplative” class, the “Pre-contemplative” class was significantly more likely to be positive for marijuana, and the “Post-Action” class was significantly less likely to be positive for opioids. The “Preparation/Action” class was significantly more likely to be in treatment. With the exception of the “Post-Action” class, the analysis appears similar to the “Stages of Change” model and suggests that problem recognition and intention to stop use are important domains in the model. However, further longitudinal research is needed to assess predictive validity of model.
Detecting fake anti-virus software distribution webpages

Attackers are continually seeking novel methods to distribute malware. Among various approaches, fake Anti-Virus (AV) attacks represent an active trend for malware distribution. In a fake AV attack, attackers disguise malware as legitimate anti-virus software and convince users to install it. As web browsers become the most popular applications for users to access online resources, webpages have become the dominating means to launch fake AV attacks. In this paper, we presented an automated and effective detection system, namely DART, to identify fake AV webpages in the Internet. We proposed a collection of novel features to characterize an unknown webpage and then integrate them using statistical classifiers. These features focus on profiling a fake AV webpage from three aspects that are fundamentally important for its success, thereby resulting in the high detection accuracy and implying resistance against evasion attempts. We have performed extensive evaluation based on real fake AV webpages that are collected from the Internet. Experimental results have demonstrated that DART can accomplish a high detection rate of 90.4% at an extremely low false positive rate of 0.2%.
Maritime security in the United States: Latent threats and latent vulnerabilities

Americans and their government are seemingly unconcerned about the possibility that maritime facilities and personnel might be at risk to armed violence. Not only are current maritime security efforts minimal, they feature a curious dichotomy: one thrust is directed toward occasional acts of terrorism, the other toward coastal defense in wartime. Despite a manifestly more interactive world marked by the ready availability of powerful, mobile weapons, no serious efforts have been directed toward protecting maritime facilities and personnel in the United States against special operations or unconventional warfare. This indifference reflects the prevalence of the Clausewitzian paradigm in America's attitude toward war and the country's historical experience with coastal defense in the wars of this century. The fragmented structure of civil and military protection available to protect ports and other facilities suggests that protection could not be quickly upgraded in the face of a rapidly‐developing threat.
Resistance Welding of Graphite-Polyarylsulfone/Polysulfone Dual-Polymer Composites

A statistically designed experimental approach was used to determine the optimum weld processing parameter values for a lap shear coupon prepared from a resis tance welded dual-polymer material system. The adherends used were 16-ply quasi isotropic laminates formed from T-750 graphite and polyarylsulfone prepreg (Radel®) with neat polysulfone comolded to each surface. The heating elements were made from a single layer of the Radel® prepreg with neat polysulfone comolded on each side. Electrical con nections were made through an expanded foil mesh conductor tab that was ultrasonically attached to each end of the heating element. The design-of-experiment approach was used for the experimental set-up and analysis. A series of response surface plots was prepared that allowed the optimum processing parameter values to be identified. Photomicrographs and C-scans were prepared from the welded region and compared to the lap shear strength values obtained. The relationship between the bondline thickness and the la...
Kisspeptin Activation of Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Neurons and Regulation of KiSS-1 mRNA in the Male Rat

The KiSS-1 gene codes for a family of neuropeptides called kisspeptins which bind to the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR54. To assess the possible effects of kisspeptins on gonadotropin secretion, we injected kisspeptin-52 into the lateral cerebral ventricles of adult male rats and found that kisspeptin-52 increased the serum levels of luteinizing hormone (p < 0.05). To determine whether the kisspeptin-52-induced stimulation of luteinizing hormone secretion was mediated by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), we pretreated adult male rats with a GnRH antagonist (acyline), then challenged the animals with intracerebroventricularly administered kisspeptin-52. The GnRH antagonist blocked the kisspeptin-52-induced increase in luteinizing hormone. To examine whether kisspeptins stimulate transcriptional activity in GnRH neurons, we administered kisspeptin-52 intracerebroventricularly and found by immunocytochemistry that 86% of the GnRH neurons coexpressed Fos 2 h after the kisspeptin-52 challenge, whereas fewer than 1% of the GnRH neurons expressed Fos following injection of the vehicle alone (p < 0.001). To assess whether kisspeptins can directly act on GnRH neurons, we used double-label in situ hybridization and found that 77% of the GnRH neurons coexpress GPR54 mRNA. Finally, to determine whether KiSS-1 gene expression is regulated by gonadal hormones, we measured KiSS-1 mRNA levels by single-label in situ hybridization in intact and castrated males and found significantly higher levels in the arcuate nucleus of castrates. These results demonstrate that GnRH neurons are direct targets for regulation by kisspeptins and that KiSS-1 mRNA is regulated by gonadal hormones, suggesting that KiSS-1 neurons play an important role in the feedback regulation of gonadotropin secretion.
A High Resolution Mid-Infrared Image of the Starburst Galaxy M82

We have produced high-resolution images of the nuclear region of M82 with SpectroCam-10, a mid-infrared instrument at the Palomar 5 m telescope. These images were taken at 11.7µm and 9.8µm with a 1µm filter bandpass at the diffraction limit of 0.6 arcsec, making them the highest resolution maps yet available of M82. In addition, we have obtained high-resolution \( \left( {\frac{\lambda }{{\Delta \lambda }} = 2000} \right) \) maps of the velocity field of the nuclear disk of M82 in the 12.81µm line emission of [NeII]. In these proceedings we present the 11.7µm image, which will appear together with the 9.8µm map and the [Ne II] spectra in a subsequent paper, now in preparation. This image shows very clearly a bridge structure joining the eastern and western clusters.
Ruthenium tetroxide — a reagent with the potential for the study of oxygen functionalities in coal

Abstract Ruthenium tetroxide may be useful as a reagent for the study of oxygen functionalities in coal. This initial investigation demonstrates the oxidation of ether linkages to esters in two coal samples by this reagent. FT-i.r. and saponification equivalents have been used in the performance of this initial study.
Abstract 3933: Collagen-proteinase cross-talk promotes gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal disease with a 5-year survival of ∼5%. A hallmark of PDAC is desmoplastic reaction (DR), the pronounced stromal reaction composed of extracellular matrix proteins along with activated fibroblasts, immune cells and endothelial cells. Although it has been suggested that the DR may be responsible for drug resistance, the mechanism is not well deciphered. We now show that collagen type I, the major component of DR, helps PDAC cells override the cell cycle checkpoint arrest induced by gemcitabine, the most commonly used chemotherapy for PDAC. Relative to cells grown on tissue culture plastic, PDAC cells grown in 3D type I collagen gels demonstrated decreased activating phosphorylation of the checkpoint protein Chk1 following gemcitabine treatment. Interestingly, PDAC cells grown atop 3D collagen gels were more sensitive to gemcitabine treatment and demonstrated higher phospho-Chk1 levels compared to cells growing within 3D collagen gels, suggesting that collagen functions as a barrier to drug delivery. As we had previously shown that collagen could induce expression of the key collagenase membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP, MMP-14) by PDAC cells, we examined the contribution of MT1-MMP to drug resistance in our model system. Downregulating MT1-MMP with siRNA attenuated the effect of collagen on gemcitabine-induced checkpoint arrest. In contrast, MT1-MMP overexpression further protected the cells from gemcitabine-induced checkpoint arrest. Overall, our results demonstrate the complex interplay between the proteinase MT1-MMP and its substrate type I collagen in regulating chemotherapy resistance, and suggests that targeting MT1-MMP could help overcome PDAC drug resistance. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3933.
Environmental Influences on Dietary Behavior among Children: Availability and Accessibility of Fruits and Vegetables Enable Consumption

Abstract Environmental variables can enable or impede children concerning what foods they consume. Availability and accessibility of foods are potentially important environmental variables. Availability concerns whether the foods are present in the home or school, while accessibility concerns whether the foods are prepared, presented, and/or maintained in a form that enables or encourages children to eat them. We hypothesized that greater availability and accessibility would lead to more consumption. Baseline data from two school nutrition education projects were used to examine relationships between availability/accessibility and consumption of fruits and vegetables. In one study, children's consumption of fruits and vegetables (from seven day food records) was related to home availability and accessibility (as assessed by a parent telephone interview), after controlling for psychosocial characteristics. In the second study, children ate more fruits and vegetables for lunch at schools that offered more f...
Echographic early systolic partial closure (notching) of the aortic valve in congestive cardiomyopathy.

Abstract We investigated the prevalence and significance of aortic valve early systolic partial closure (notching) in congestive cardiomyopathy by reviewing clinical and M-mode echocardiographic findings in 33 patients. We also compared their echocardiographic aortic root and valve findings to those in 17 aortic regurgitation patients and 24 normal subjects. Thirteen cardiomyopathy patients (39%) exhibited aortic valve partial closure—similar to the prevalence in the aortic regurgitation (41%) and normal (33%) groups. However, patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and aortic valve notching exhibited a higher mean percentage of partial closure (18% ± 10) than those with notching in either the aortic regurgitation (8% ± 9) or normal (5% ± 2) group. There was no significant difference in age, body surface area, left ventricular dimension, systolic function, or presence of mitral regurgitation between cardiomyopathy patients with and without aortic valve notching, but the former had slightly greater aortic root dimensions and maximal aortic leaflet separation. Although the reason for this difference is unknown, a wider aortic root may result in low-pressure areas bordering the aortic flow stream during early systole, which may favor partial aortic valve closure.
Insect allergy: The state of the art

There has been significant recent progress in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with Hymenoptera sensitivity.‘-” Many problems remain, and, indeed, the introduction of new information has raised additional questions. Treatment is highly efficacious but expensive, of long duration, and has an unknown degree of long-term side effects. The question of whom to treat, therefore, becomes critical. With the commercial availability of venoms for immunotherapy, the practicing allergist will need to make a series of difficult decisions. With this in mind, it seems appropriate to present our clinical and laboratory experience during the last five years and to summarize our suggestions concerning the management of patients with an allergy to insect stings. Our recommendations are derived from experience with the evaluation of over 500 patients and the therapy, including inhospital sting, of over 300 adults and children. A degree of controversy persists in this field, and additional data must be gathered before a fully defined position can be established. We have tried to make what follows as precise a statement of what is and is not known as is currently possible. Whole body extract therapy In the first volume of the
Diazepam-ethanol interaction: Initial treatment and combined treatment effects

Water-deprived female Sprague-Dawley rats were trained in a conditioned suppression of drinking paradigm. Experiment 1 assessed the effects of prior experience with ethanol on the initial treatment deficit of diazepam (1A) and the influence of prior experience with diazepam on the initial treatment effects of ethanol (1B). In Experiment 1A, half the animals received three daily doses of ethanol, while the other half received vehicle for 3 days. All rats then received vehicle followed by 3 days of ethanol treatment. No significant effect of prior experience with ethanol was observed on the diazepam initial treatment deficit. In Experiment 1B, half the animals received vehicle followed by three daily doses of diazepam, while the other half received vehicle. All subjects then received vehicle followed by 3 days of ethanol treatment. No significant effect of prior experience with diazepam was noted on ethanol's initial treatment effects. Experiment 2 assessed the effects of diazepam (0, 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg) and ethanol (0, 0.5, 1 and 2 g/kg) alone and in combination in the conflict test. Diazepam, administered alone, resulted in an antipunishment effect. Ethanol alone did not produce an antipunishment effect. The combination of the two drugs generally decreased both punished and unpunished responding. Further, the CNS depressant effects of these drugs appear to be additive. The qualitative effects of these two drugs are different enough to disallow generalization to each other in a conflict test.
Court-mediated disputes between physicians and families over the medical care of children.

Objective To describe the judiciary's approach to parent-physician disputes over the care of sick children. Data Sources Court publications. Study Selection Fifty parent-physician disagreements over the care of children led to physician requests for court intervention and resulted in judicial opinions published by the court. The opinions describe 66 children from 20 states. Data Synthesis Physicians prevailed at the initial decision in 44 (88%) of the 50 disputes and at the final decision in 40 disputes (80%). Physicians were more likely to prevail in religion-based disputes than in other cases (27 of 30 vs 13 of 20; P P Conclusions Published court opinions create precedents for future decisions and provide insight into the consequences of seeking court intervention for the physician who encounters parental refusal of care.
Access as a factor in differential contraceptive use between Mayans and ladinos in Guatemala.

Previous studies have demonstrated consistently that the Mayan women of Guatemala have a far lower level of contraceptive use than their ladino counterparts (e.g. 50% versus 13% in the 1998 Demographic and Health Survey - DHS). Most researchers and practitioners have attributed this to social, economic and cultural differences between the two groups that result in Mayans having a far lower demand for family planning than ladinos. This paper tests an alternative hypothesis: that the contraceptive supply environment may be more limited for Mayans than ladinos. This analysis uses an innovative approach of linking household level data from the 1995/6 Guatemala DHS and with facility-level data from the 1997 Providers Census for four highland departments in which the latter was conducted. On average, married women of reproductive age in the four departments lived 2 km from a facility that provided some type of contraception. Mayans and ladinos did not differ significantly in terms of (1) mean distance to the closest facility offering family planning services, or (2) mean distance to a facility providing each specific method (except injectables). Mayans were more likely to live closer to an APROFAM clinic, whereas ladinos were closer to a facility that offered access to injectables. Otherwise, the family planning supply environment differed little for the two groups. However, access may not be the determining factor in contraceptive use, given that less than 8% of users got their (last) contraceptive from the nearest facility. Moreover, APROFAM - which was the nearest facility for only 7% of the respondents in this study - was the source of supply for 48% of users. Although this study does not directly measure quality, the characteristics that differentiate APROFAM from other service providers point to quality as more important than physical access or cost in source of contraception among this group of users.
Coaching Efficacy and Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling: A Substantive-Methodological Synergy

The purpose of this article was to provide a substantive-methodological synergy of potential importance to future research in sport and exercise psychology. The substantive focus was to improve the measurement of coaching efficacy by developing a revised version of the coaching efficacy scale (CES) for head coaches (N = 557) of youth sport teams (CES II-YST). The methodological focus was exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), a methodology that integrates the advantages of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) within the general structural equation model (SEM). The synergy was a demonstration of how ESEM (as compared with CFA) may be used, guided by content knowledge, to develop (or confirm) a measurement model for the CES II-YST. A single-group ESEM provided evidence for close model-data fit, while a single-group CFA fit significantly worse than the single-group ESEM and provided evidence for only approximate model-data fit. A multiple-group ESEM provided evidence for partial factorial invariance by coach's gender.
Y-Biasing: A New Operational Method for Cassini to Control Thruster Usage while Managing Reaction Wheel Momentum

As NASA’s Cassini spacecraft continues its 6 th year in orbit around Saturn and 13 th year of flight, the spacecraft operators have increased efforts to control the ways in which the Reaction Wheel Assembly (RWA) and Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters of the aging spacecraft are used. Thrust degradation from at least one of Cassini’s Z-axis aligned RCS thrusters led to interest in developing a method of Y-Biasing; that is, using only the spacecraft’s Y-axis aligned thrusters to alter the momentum of Cassini’s reaction wheels, thereby preserving the health of the Z-facing thrusters by limiting their use. Further analysis of the Y-biasing technique demonstrates that this method of reaction wheel biasing not only greatly reduces the use of the Z-facing thrusters, but it also offers as much as a 3035% savings in hydrazine consumption compared to the previously used method.
Assessing the impact of interannual variability of precipitation and potential evaporation on evapotranspiration

The impact of interannual variability of precipitation and potential evaporation on the long-term mean annual evapotranspiration as well as on the interannual variability of evapotranspiration is studied using a stochastic soil moisture model within the Budyko framework. Results indicate that given the same long-term mean annual precipitation and potential evaporation, including interannual variability of precipitation and potential evaporation reduces the long-term mean annual evapotranspiration. This reduction effect is mostly prominent when the dryness index (i.e., the ratio of potential evaporation to precipitation) is within the range from 0.5 to 2. The maximum reductions in the evaporation ratio (i.e., the ratio of evapotranspiration to precipitation) can reach 8–10% for a range of coefficient of variation (CV) values for precipitation and potential evaporation. The relations between the maximum reductions and the CV values of precipitation and potential evaporation follow power laws. Hence the larger the interannual variability of precipitation and potential evaporation becomes, the larger the reductions in the evaporation ratio will be. The inclusion of interannual variability of precipitation and potential evaporation also increases the interannual variability of evapotranspiration. It is found that the interannual variability of daily rainfall depth and that of the frequency of daily rainfall events have quantitatively different impacts on the interannual variability of evapotranspiration; and they also interact differently with the interannual variability of potential evaporation. The results presented in this study demonstrate the importance of understanding the role of interannual variability of precipitation and potential evaporation in land surface hydrology under a warming climate.
Chapter 3 The Impact of the 9/11 Attacks on the Elderly in NYC Chinatown

Abstract This article discusses the findings of a study on the impact of the 9/11 attacks on the elderly Chinese immigrants in Chinatown, a community in close proximity to the World Trade Center. The findings reveal the stories of a vulnerable population who suffered extensive traumatization from 9/11, and describes their struggles with their issues of loss from a history of poverty, war and immigration. Implications of service recommendations are made in the context of the participants' help-seeking behavior and their cultural beliefs and norms.
Concepts from Eastern Philosophy and Rogers' Science of Unitary Human Beings:

A brief outline of Buddhist thought is presented. Four concepts from early Indian philosophy which contributed to the development of the middle way consequence (Madhyamika Prasangika) school of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy are discussed. These are: action (karma), direct perception, emptiness, and dependent arising. An overview of Martha Rogers' science of unitary human beings is given, followed by a discussion of the concepts of energy field and integrality within her worldview. Buddhist concepts of action, direct valid perception, and emptiness are considered in relation to Rogers' notion of energy field; the concept of dependent arising is compared to Rogers' principle of integrality. It is proposed that Rogers' worldview includes areas of similarity with concepts used in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy.
Evaluation of rotational control and forces generated during first-order archwire deflections: a comparison of self-ligating and conventional brackets

The purpose of this study was to compare the activation and deactivation forces generated during first-order archwire deflections when different sizes and types of NiTi wires are paired with conventional and self-ligating brackets (SLBs) and to evaluate the rotational control between these same archwire and bracket combinations. Four maxillary premolar SLBs (Damon 3MX, SmartClip, Carriere, and In-Ovation R) and one conventional twin bracket (Victory) were paired with seven archwires [0.014, 0.016, 0.018, 0.016 × 0.022 Ultra Therm (thermal A f 80-90°F), 0.016, 0.018 SPEED Supercable, and 0.017 × 0.025 Turbo]. A cantilever test design was used and 10 trials per bracket/archwire combination were performed. Load/deflection data were captured over 4 mm fi rst-order archwire deflections. Forces generated were compared across all bracket/archwire combinations. Among thermal archwires, for a given deflection, forces increased with increasing archwire size. Supercable archwires displayed less force than their same size thermal counterparts. The Turbo archwire generated force values in between those of 0.016 and 0.018 thermal archwires. Rotational control improved with increasing wire dimensions and for a given archwire size. Rotational control among brackets generally ranked as follows: In-Ovation R > SmartClip > Carriere and Damon 3MX.
Parallel algorithms for terminal-pair reliability

The parallelization of the two best-known sequential algorithms, that of W.P. Dotson and J.O. Gobein (1979) and that of L.B. Page and J.E. Perry (PP-F2TDN) (1989) for computing the terminal-pair reliability in a network is discussed. Reduce and Partition (R and P), a novel sequential algorithm which combines the best efficient features of these two algorithms, is presented. It is shown that R and P runs almost twice as fast as the previously known fastest algorithm. A parallel version of R and P is also presented. The execution times of all three parallel algorithms with various numbers of processors for different networks on the BBN Butterfly parallel computer are provided. The parallel algorithms were implemented on a shared-memory parallel computer. In R and P, the greedy approach was used in selecting shortest paths in order to locally minimize the number of subproblems. This selection did not consider the effect of reductions on the subproblems to be generated. >
Effects of early life stress on cognitive and affective function: an integrated review of human literature.

Rationale The investigation of putative effects of early life stress (ELS) in humans on later behavior and neurobiology is a fast developing field. While epidemiological and neurobiological studies paint a somber picture of negative outcomes, relatively little attention has been devoted to integrating the breadth of findings concerning possible cognitive and emotional deficits associated with ELS. Emerging findings from longitudinal studies examining developmental trajectories of the brain in healthy samples may provide a new framework to understand mechanisms underlying ELS sequelae.
Images in cardiovascular medicine. The traveling amplatzer: rare complication of percutaneous atrial septal occluder device embolism.

A 43-year-old woman with a history of recurrent embolic strokes and migraines was referred to our institution for primary percutaneous closure of a secundum atrial septal defect (ASD). Seven hours after successful placement of an Amplatzer atrial septal occluder (ASO) device, the patient began to complain of acute chest pain. Subsequent workup of this chest discomfort revealed dislodgement and migration of the Amplatzer device to the left ventricular outflow tract. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed during her preprocedure examination and demonstrated the presence of an ASD with a total defect size of 13×14 mm and hypermobility of the posterior rim (Figure 1A, Movie I). The anterior aortic rim measured 4 mm, but the other rims were adequate (>5 mm) (Figure 1B, Movie II). Using phase-contrast cardiac magnetic resonance, we calculated a shunt flow of 7 mL per beat. No other congenital anomalies or structural abnormalities were noted. In addition, a preprocedure transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) confirmed the hypermobile secundum ASD with presence of a left-to-right interatrial shunt (Figure 1C and 1D, Movies III and IV. Figure 1. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging with balanced steady-state free precession sequence of 4-chamber (A) and modified short-axis (B) views confirmed the presence of the secundum ASD with left-to-right shunt (B, arrowhead depicts blood flow acceleration from left atrium into right atrium) and hypermobility of the posterior rim (A, arrow). Bicaval view of preprocedural TEE (C) revealed a hypermobile secundum ASD. Corresponding …
A plausible theoretical model for the hydrated electron

Abstract A tetrahedron is assumed with a H2O molecule at the center and four effective dipoles at the corners, representing the four nearest neighbor H2O molecules plus accumulating effects on them from the polar medium of water. Ab initio SCF calculations are carried out for H2O and H2O−in the system described. The electron affinity is found to be rather sensitive to the orientations of the dipoles with respect to the radial directions from the corresponding dipoles. For parallel orientations, the electron affinity is found to be maximum and its calculated value of 1.79 eV is comparable to the experimental binding energy of 1.73 eV for the hydrated electron.
Detection and monitoring of early airway injury effects of half-mustard (2-chloroethylethylsulfide) exposure using high-resolution optical coherence tomography

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive, high-resolution imaging technology capable of delivering real-time, near-histologic images of tissues. Mustard gas is a vesicant-blistering agent that can cause severe and lethal damage to airway and lungs. The ability to detect and assess airway injury in the clinical setting of mustard exposure is currently limited. The purpose of this study is to assess the ability to detect and monitor progression of half-mustard [2-chloroethylethylsulfide (CEES)] airway injuries with OCT techniques. A ventilated rabbit mustard exposure airway injury model is developed. A flexible fiber optic OCT probe is introduced into the distal trachea to image airway epithelium and mucosa in vivo. Progression of airway injury is observed over eight hours with OCT using a prototype time-domain superluminescent diode OCT system. OCT tracheal images from CEES exposed animals are compared to control rabbits for airway mucosal thickening and other changes. OCT detects the early occurrence and progression of dramatic changes in the experimental group after exposure to CEES. Histology and immunofluorescence staining confirms this finding. OCT has the potential to be a high resolution imaging modality capable of detecting, assessing, and monitoring treatment for airway injury following mustard vesicant agent exposures.
Hispanic, Latino, Chicano, or “Other”?: Deconstructing the Relationship between Historians and Hispanic-American Educational History

The educational history of Hispanic Americans is not a “new” history. Hispanic peoples began exploration, settlement, and even schooling in North America in the sixteenth century. A more appropriate metaphor is to think of Hispanic educational history as a rich, unearthed site awaiting the work of archivists and researchers. There is no doubt that the large post-1965 immigration of Latinos to the United States renewed interest among scholars in the history of these peoples. Yet contemporary social, political, economic, and educational issues raise the troubling question of why Hispanic-American history has remained neglected for so long. This essay is a beginning towards understanding the relationship between historians and the educational history of Hispanic Americans during the last century. Specifically, this historiographical inquiry examines some barriers that have dissuaded scholars from exploring the history of Latino influences in North America, assesses current writings, and recommends new directions for scholars wishing to pursue inquiry into the field of Hispanic-American educational history.
Use of a temporary supramalleolar orthosis to manage foot pain in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis: A case report

Abstract Background Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by joint pain, stiffness, and functional disability. Approximately 90% of patients will report symptoms in the foot or ankle during the course of their disease. Case description A case of a 40-year-old woman with a 12-year history of rheumatoid arthritis referred to outpatient physical therapy with a chief complaint of pain in the lateral rearfoot and forefoot is presented. At the time of the initial examination, the patient reported persistent pain ranging from 3 to 9/10, aggravated when standing and walking during activities of daily living. Treatment consisted of the fabrication of a supramalleolar orthosis that incorporated an in-shoe foot orthosis to address functional limitations and abnormal foot and ankle posture. A home exercise program was prescribed to address potential balance deficits and strength loss following the application of the orthosis. Outcomes Clinically significant improvements were seen in pain, gait speed, and on the Foot Function Index following the implementation of the orthotic device. The patient returned to standing and walking with minimal symptom limitations. Discussion This case report highlights the short-term clinical outcomes when using a supramalleolar orthosis in conjunction with an in-shoe foot orthosis to manage lateral rearfoot and forefoot pain in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.