cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metabolic assessment of menstruating and nonmenstruating normal weight adolescents

Objective: Resumption of menses (ROM) is a key indicator of recovery in AN, but patients may remain amenorrheic despite weight restoration. The objective of this study is to better understand the mechanism of amenorrhea in patients with eating disorders. Method: A retrospective chart review was conducted of 382 normal weight adolescents with a history of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or eating disorder not otherwise specified, who had been referred for indirect calorimetry tests. Resting energy expenditure (REE) was compared between amenorrheic (n 5 60) and regularly menstruating females (n 5 121). Results: Participants with amenorrhea had a mean REE of 1,103 kcal/24 h (79% predicted), whereas participants who were menstruating regularly had a mean REE of 1,217 kcal/24 h (85% predicted; p 5 0.001). The amenorrheic group was found to be at a lower mean body weight (53.7 6 5.6 kg vs. 57.5 6 7.4 kg; p 0.001), at a lower percent ideal body weight (98.5 6 8.3% vs. 102.8 6 10.2%; p 5 0.005), and at a lower BMI (20.5 6 1.7 vs. 21.5 6 2.2; p 5 0.002). Discussion: This study highlights that amenorrheic participants with a history of eating disorders who are at normal body weight are hypometabolic, suggesting an adaptive response to dietary restriction.
THE “FREEDOM SUIT”: Feminism and Dress Reform in the United States, 1848-1875

The dress-reform movement, often misrepresented as a fad of women's rights leaders, was in fact a distinct movement with roots in nineteenth-century health reform. It represents a different brand of feminism from that of the women's rights movement and a “road not taken” by nineteenth-century feminism. Dress reformers were committed to an exemplary action model of social change that assumed that a few intrepid individuals who had the courage to live according to principle could inspire enough other people to transform the world. The women's rights leaders, on the other hand, were determined to build a movement capable of changing social, political, and economic institutions and believed compromises were necessary to do so. The debate between the two groups illustrates the tension between personal transformation and political change that has often appeared in feminist movements.
Use of mental and health services by American Indian and Alaska Native elders

American Indian and Alaska Native elders are an important at-risk population in need of mental health services, yet little is known about the factors that influence Indian/Native elders to actually seek mental health services. This study uses the Anderson and Newman conceptual framework to identify need as well as enabling and predisposing factors for mental health service use in a national sample of reservation and urban American Indian and Alaska Native elders. Results indicate that self-perceived need is the strongest predictor of mental health service use for elders living on reservations. However, for Indian/Native elders in urban areas, degree of mental impairment is most likely to predict use of mental health services. For both groups of elders, enabling variables, such as total income, level of education and access to medical insurance, were the least important in influencing whether or not an elder elected to use mental health services. Language: en
Continual signaling is responsible for constitutive ERK phosphorylation in B-1a cells

Abstract B-1a cells constitutively express phosphorylated, activated ERK, but the origin of pERK in B-1 cells has not been determined. To address this issue, we examined specific mediators of intracellular signaling in unmanipulated B-1a cells. We found that constitutive pERK was rapidly lost from B-1a cells following addition of metabolic inhibitors that block src kinase, Syk, PI-3K, and PLC function. We examined Syk and PLC in more detail and found rapid accumulation of phosphorylated forms of these molecules in B-1a cells, but not B-2 cells, when phosphatase activity was inhibited, and this change occurred in the majority of B-1a cells. Further, we showed that inhibition of src kinase activity eliminated “downstream” pSyk and pPLC accumulation in phosphatase-inhibited B-1a cells, indicating a pathway connection. CD86 expression is greater on B-1 than B-2 cells and plays a role in antigen presentation by B-1 cells to T cells. We found that when Syk or PI-3K was inhibited, CD86 expression was diminished in a reversible fashion. All together, these results indicate that continual activation of intracellular signaling leads to constitutive activation of ERK in B-1 cells, with attendant consequences for co-stimulatory molecule expression.
Demonstrating sub-nm closed loop MEMS flattening

Ground based high-contrast imaging (e.g. extrasolar giant planet detection) has demanding wavefront control requirements two orders of magnitude more precise than standard adaptive optics systems. We demonstrate that these requirements can be achieved with a 1024-Micro-Electrical-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) deformable mirror having an actuator spacing of 340 µm and a stroke of approximately 1 µm, over an active aperture 27 actuators across. We have flattened the mirror to a residual wavefront error of 0.54 nm rms within the range of controllable spatial frequencies. Individual contributors to final wavefront quality, such as voltage response and uniformity, have been identified and characterized.
An analysis of a discontinuous spectral element method for elastic wave propagation in a heterogeneous material

The numerical dispersion and dissipation properties of a discontinuous spectral element method are investigated in the context of elastic waves in one dimensional periodic heterogeneous materials. Their frequency dependence and elastic band characteristics are studied. Dispersion relations representing both pass band and stop band structures are derived and used to assess the accuracy of the numerical results. A high-order discontinuous spectral Galerkin method is used to calculate the complex dispersion relations in heterogeneous materials. Floquet---Bloch theory is used to derive the elastic band structure. The accuracy of the dispersion relation is investigated with respect to the spectral polynomial orders for three different cases of materials. Numerical investigations illustrate a spectral convergence in numerical accuracy with respect to the polynomial order based on the elastic band structure and a discontinuous jump of the maximum resolvable frequency within the pass bands resulting in a step-like increase of it with respect to the polynomial order.
Dynamic optimization with state variable path constraints

A new method for solving dynamic optimization problems that contain path constraints on the state variables is described. We establish the equivalence between the inequality path-constrained dynamic optimization problem and a hybrid discrete/continuous dynamic optimization problem that contains switching phenomena. The control parameterization method for solving dynamic optimization problems, which transforms the dynamic optimization problem into a finite-dimensional nonlinear program (NLP), is combined with an algorithm for constrained dynamic simulation so that any admissible combination of the control parameters produces an initial value problem that is feasible with respect to the path constraints. We show that the dynamic model, which is in general described by a system of differential-algebraic equations (DAEs), can become high-index during the state-constrained portions of the trajectory. During these constrained portions of the trajectory, a subset of the control variables are allowed to be determined by the solution of the high-index DAE. The algorithm proceeds by detecting activation and deactivation of the constraints during the solution of the initial value problem, and solving the resulting high-index DAEs and their related sensitivity systems using the method of dummy derivatives. This method is applicable to a large class of dynamic optimization problems.
Localized competition in the non-resident student market

The non-resident student market brings monetary resources to colleges and universities in the U.S. Previous research on price-setting has been predominantly limited to public institutions. This study offers geospatial indicators to capture local competition and influence from public and private 4-year not-for-profit colleges to attract non-resident students. Utilizing a dataset built from federal, state, and institutional information, the 2011–2012 non-resident tuition prices of 1780 institutions across the contiguous U.S. were modeled. Four different neighboring specifications were used to measure the influence of the 1st, 5th, 10th, and 20th closest institutions. The findings support that localized competition and influence exists. Institutions use variations in their tuition prices to compete locally and remain a marketable option for non-resident students. Heterogeneous neighboring structures affect tuition setting above and beyond spatial dependence. Institutions’ tuition price-setting benefit the most by competing against doctoral/research institutions. Fixed-effects and HLM techniques were incapable of handling spatial dependence.
Psychometric Properties of a New Measure to Assess Autism Spectrum Disorder in DSM‐5

This article presents preliminary psychometric properties of a new 45-item scale, the Coolidge Autistic Symptoms Survey (CASS), designed to differentiate between children within the autism spectrum (including Asperger's Disorder) and purportedly normal children, in anticipation of DSM-5 changes, in which a single diagnostic category is proposed: autism spectrum disorder. The final sample (N = 72) consisted of 19 children diagnosed with Asperger's Disorder, 19 children who were considered loners by their parents (without an autism diagnosis), and 34 purportedly normal children. The CASS and the 200-item, DSM-IV-TR aligned, Coolidge Personality and Neuropsychological Inventory were completed by a parent. The CASS had excellent internal scale reliability (α= .97) and test-retest (r = .91) reliability. ANOVA revealed the CASS was able to discriminate significantly among the 3 groups of children. Further research with the CASS appears warranted.
Possible lunar source areas of meteorite ALHA81005: Geochemical remote sensing information

Antarctic meteorite ALHA 81005 is a regolith breccia apparently sent to earth by an impact event in the lunar highlands. Laboratory studies of this sample provide information that is used to understand the source region on the moon using remote sensing data. The meteorites low thorium content is inconsistent with thorium values measured for the central lunar nearside from orbit with Apollo gamma-ray spectrometers. Similarly, the mineral assemblages inferred from near-IR spectra of small impact craters on the lunar nearside do not exhibit the significant component of olivine and Fe-bearing feldspar that is observed in the meteorite spectra. The existing remote sensing data suggest the most probable source region for ALHA 81005 is the nearside limb or the lunar farside and that the composition of ALHA 81005 represents a surface unit that has not previously been extensively sampled.
Deuterium nuclear quadrupole coupling in the hydrogen-bound systems ethylene—D35CI and acetylene—D35CI

Abstract The deuterium nuclear quadrupole coupling constants in the T-shaped π-complexes ethylene—D35Cl and acetylene—D35Cl have been measured to be xaaD = 171.1 (71) kHz for ethylene—DCl and xaaD = 146.3(35) kHz for acetylene—DCL. The values of xaaD differ from those expected from projecting the free DCl monomer values. Rotational and centrifugal distortion constants are obtained for acetylene—D35Cl confirming the structure given previously for acetylene—HCl.
Mutagenic analysis of the destruction signal of mitotic cyclins and structural characterization of ubiquitinated intermediates.

Mitotic cyclins are abruptly degraded at the end of mitosis by a cell-cycle-regulated ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic system. To understand how cyclin is recognized for ubiquitin conjugation, we ha...
Resistance of biofilms to the catalase inhibitor 3-amino-1,2, 4-triazole.

Consortia of catalase positive bacteria consisting of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, in both the planktonic form and as biofilms, disproportionate hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water. The biofilm, however, continued to disproportionate the hydrogen peroxide in the presence of the catalase inhibitor, 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, while the planktonic organisms did not. While the bacterial catalase-peroxidase-dismutase system was probably responsible for the disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide in both cases, biofilms resisted inhibition of this enzyme system.
Attempting pregnancy after miscarriage and curettage — what is the minimum interval?

We describe a normal pregnancy that was conceived less than 3 weeks following curettage for a blighted ovum. A delay between curettage and subsequent pregnancy is often recommended. Evidence supporting such a delay is examined.
Evaluation of relapse prevention and reinforcement interventions to promote exercise adherence in sedentary females.

Abstract An experimental design was employed to assess the effectiveness of a relapse prevention program, a reinforcement program, and an exercise-only control group in increasing exercise program adherence and short-term maintenance in 120 previously sedentary female university employees. The subjects participated in an 18-week exercise program composed of stretching, calisthenics, and aerobic dance. Attendance during the first half of the program was significantly higher for subjects in the relapse prevention group than for those in the control group. A nonsignificant trend in this direction emerged during the second half of the program and at 2-month follow-up. For all treatment groups, attrition (attendance at less than two thirds of the exercise sessions) was substantial, averaging 72% at the end of the 18-week program. These findings indicate that relapse prevention and reinforcement programs may not assist previously sedentary females in long-term adherence to an exercise program.
Cavitation of a submerged jet

A cavitation cloud forms when a high-pressure water jet is submerged in a tank of quiescent water. The water jet is formed as high-pressure nitrogen forces a fixed-volume column of water through a nozzle. The diameter and exit velocity of the water jet affect the behavior and geometry of the resulting cavitation. The relationships between the Reynolds number of the flow and the measured cloud geometry, propagation distance, pulsation frequency, and front velocity are presented. The distance a cloud propagated increased by 30 % when the diameter of the jet was doubled from 1.0 to 2.0 mm. Additionally, the longitudinal cross-sectional area and propagation distance increase with increasing Reynolds number, while the frequency at which the jet pulsed from the nozzle was found to decrease with an increase in Reynolds number.
Sunlight photochlorination and dark chlorination of monoterpenes

Abstract The aqueous chlorination of the monoterpenes camphene, limonene, α-pinene and β-pinene produced complex polychlorinated product mixtures. The extent of chlorination was primarily dependent on pH and light conditions. At pH2 and exposure to sunlight, product mixtures were obtained that had striking similarities to Toxaphene. At higher pH or in the dark, less extensive but still substantial chlorination took place; these lower chlorinated compounds could be mistaken for biologically degraded Toxaphene in environmental samples.
Measurement of liquid film profiles by Moiré topography

Abstract Area-wide surface topography is continuously monitored with the moire technique, i.e. measurement of patterns formed by superposition of the warped image of a line grating on a similar reference grating. A simple method for reconstructing liquid film profiles from moir $ fringe patterns is developed. The method is tested with a known specimen, a convex lens. Leveling of an uneven liquid film by gravity and capillary force is followed and film profiles are measured at intervals of time. Waves flowing down an inclined plate and disturbances in a liquid curtain are viewed, as are small disturbances caused by the impingement of tiny surface-active particles. Possible application to control of coating operations is pointed out.
Optimal Contributions to Flexible Spending Accounts

Abstract Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) permit tax-free healthcare spending. FSA dollars at year-end are lost. Given no alternative for leftover money, rational consumers spend to zero. Optimal FSA contributions should emphasize tradeoffs between utility from pre-tax medical expenditures and post-tax non-medical consumption.
GPO Gate: University of California, San Diego's New Gateway to Electronic Government Information.

Abstract Over the past year, a team of librarians and computer analysts at the University of California (UC), San Diego developed a new interface for accessing the Government Printing Office's WAIS databases, collectively known as GPO Access. GPO Access has been an important development in the delivery of government information. UC San Diego's new World Wide Web interface, called GPO Gate, provides a powerful, user-friendly method of searching and retrieving full-text government information from GPO access. GPO Gate is now the University of California's system-wide gateway for GPO Access. The GPO Gate team instituted two mechanisms to monitor database usage: a user-tracking system and a user survey. The user-tracking system logs the number of uses, searches, and retrievals by domain type and identifies users by the database used. Since its inception in August 1995, use of GPO Gate has increased dramatically. Much of the increase can be attributed to searches and retrievals from the Federal Register . The largest single user group is composed of commercial users. The increased use of GPO Gate has many implications for public service related to government documents, including an expansion of the number of users, the need for reference providers to better understand computer hardware and software, and confusion among users caused by rapid changes in the delivery of government information.
Displacement of phenytoin from plasma binding sites by salicylate

Six healthy male subjects received phenytoin sodium as 9 100-mg capsules alone or with aspirin in a randomized, crossover fashion. Aspirin, 975 mg every 6 hr, was started 22 hr before a phenytoin dose and continued for an additional 48 hr during blood sampling. Mean 4-hr plasma salicylate levels ranged from 104 to 157 micrograms/ml during the sampling period. Individual mean values for the free fraction of salicylate varied from 0.107 to 0.167. The fraction of free phenytoin in plasma rose from 0.128 +/- 0.004 to 0.163 +/- 0.009 when aspirin was given (p less than 0.001). Subjects had lower total phenytoin 48-hr area under the curve (AUC) values when on aspirin (323 +/- 36 without and 261 +/- 49 micrograms . hr . ml-1 with aspirin; p less than 0.001) but free phenytoin AUC values were unchanged (41.4 +/- 4.5 and 42.4 +/- 9.0 micrograms . hr . ml-1; p less than 0.5). Thus, more rapid clearance of total phenytoin probably compensated for salicylate displacement of phenytoin from plasma protein binding sites. Total phenytoin levels for therapeutic monitoring must be interpreted cautiously when patients also receive salicylate.
The inspectors general

Using rapid, in-house evaluation, the inspectors general have helped top decision makers improve program efficiency, effectiveness, and integrity at many federal departments.
Secondary heating effects in laser-induced fluorescence experiments

Abstract The effects of secondary heating that alter observed rate constants are examined through a three vibrational level model. Though secondary heating can significantly change eigenrates influenced by V-T,R steps, the distortion of eigenrates dominated by V-V steps is vanishingly small. Experiments that monitor fluorescence at 4.3–4.8 μm for CO 2 or N 2 O pumped from one excited vibrational level to another by a CO 2 laser exhibit no shift arising from secondary heating.
INTERSECTORAL CAPITAL MOBILITY IN A KALDORIAN MODEL OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

This paper examines the implications of intersectoral capital mobility in a simple formalization of N. Kaldor's model of growth and development which examines the dynamic interaction between an agricultural and an industrial sector. Capital flows are first assumed to respond to market incentives and it is shown that such flows can lead to an unstable or cyclical growth process. The flows are then assumed to occur due to government taxes and transfers and it is shown under what conditions the taxation of agriculture to finance industrial accumulation can help or hinder growth. Copyright 1996 by Blackwell Publishers Ltd and The Victoria University of Manchester
Substance P innervation of the rat hippocampal formation

Light and electron microscopic substance P (SP) immunostaining was performed on hippocampal sections of colchicine-pretreated, control, untreated fimbria-fornix-transected (5 days), as well as perforant path-stimulated Sprague-Dawley rats fixed in 5% acrolein. Numerous SP-immunoreactive neurons could be observed in the stratum oriens of the Ammon's horn and subiculum, fewer were seen in the dentate hilar area and stratum radiatum of CA2 and CA3, and even fewer were seen at the border between the CA1 strata radiatum and the lacunosum moleculare of CA1 subfield. A higher dose of colchicine resulted in SP immunoreactivity in a large population of granule cells and mossy axon terminals. The entire CA2 region, the stratum oriens of CA1, CA3, and the subiculum were densely innervated by SP-containing axon terminals. A homogeneous SP innervation was found in the stratum radiatum of CA1. Only a few SP fibers were seen adjacent to the granule cell layer. Symmetric axosomatic contacts were seen between SP-containing boutons and somata in the stratum oriens of the Ammon's horn. However, throughout the hippocampal formation, the majority of SP-containing axons formed axodendritic symmetric synapses. A dense population of SP-immunoreactive boutons that formed axodendritic asymmetric synapses was observed in the strata oriens and radiatum of the CA3a and CA2 regions, and a few were found in the supragranular and subgranular layers of the dentate gyrus. Fimbria-fornix transection resulted in a marked loss of SP fibers in the strata oriens, pyramidale, and radiatum of the CA3a and CA2 subfields. In perforant pathway-stimulated animals, a population of granule cells and a large number of mossy axon terminals were immunoreactive for SP. These observations suggest two sources of SP innervation to the hippocampal formation: one arising from intrinsic sources (interneurons and granule cells) and one arising from extrinsic sources, most likely the supramammillary region.
Relative Efficacy of a Multisession Sexual Risk–Reduction Intervention for Young Men Released From Prisons in 4 States

Objectives. We compared the effects of an enhanced multisession intervention with a single-session intervention on the sexual risk behavior of young men released from prison.Methods. Young men, aged 18 to 29 years, were recruited from US prisons in 4 states and systematically assigned to the prerelease single-session intervention or the pre- and postrelease enhanced intervention. Both interventions addressed HIV, hepatitis, and other sexually transmitted infections; the enhanced intervention also addressed community reentry needs (e.g., housing, employment). Assessment data were collected before intervention, and 1, 12, and 24 weeks after release.Results. A total of 522 men were included in intent-to-treat analyses. Follow-up rates ranged from 76% to 87%. Unprotected vaginal or anal sex during the 90 days before incarceration was reported by 86% of men in the enhanced intervention and 89% in the single-session intervention (OR=0.78; 95% CI=0.46, 1.32). At 24 weeks, 68% of men assigned to the enhanced inte...
Myeloperoxidase involvement in PMA-induced chemiluminescence in retinoic-acid-differentiated HL-60 cells

Abstract The luminol-dependent chemiluminescent (CL) response of retinoic-acid (RA)-differentiated cells to PMA was studied. HL-60 cells were differentiated into apparently mature polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) by exhibiting segmented nuclei and increased capacity to reduce NBT which reaches maximum 96 h post RA treatment. Sodium azide, an inhibitor of myeloperoxidase (MPO), strongly decreased the PMA-induced luminol-dependent CL response. The MPO activity as assessed by cytochemical staining was found to be most intense prior to differentiation and gradually decreased to undetectable levels after 96 h post RA treatment. CL response however reached maximum 48 h post RA treatment and gradually decreased thereafter. The lack of correlation between MPO activity and CL response in RA-differentiated HL-60 cells indicates a defect in release of MPO from azurophilic granulae.
The molecular interaction between local anesthetic/antiarrhythmic agents and voltage-gated sodium channels.

Local anesthetic/antiarrhythmic agents render their therapeutic effects via suppression of ionic current through voltage-gated Na channels. Recent work to understand the molecular basis of this drug-receptor interaction has exploited the combined technologies of molecular biology and electrophysiology. Despite the complexity of the effects of site-directed mutations on Na channel function and local anesthetic action, some consistent themes are emerging. Recent studies suggest that the local anesthetic compounds actively promote channel inactivation and, in doing so, function as allosteric effectors. Although the charged moiety may enter the Na channel pore, the primary mechanism whereby local anesthetic agents reduce excitability may be to induce channel inactivation.
Cost-effectiveness of diagnostic tests for toenail onychomycosis: A repeated-measure, single-blinded, cross-sectional evaluation of 7 diagnostic tests

Objective Our purpose was to estimate and compare the cost-effectiveness of the most commonly used diagnostic tests for onychomycosis: potassium hydroxide preparation (KOH), interpreted both by a dermatologist (KOH-CLINIC) and a laboratory technician (KOH-LAB); KOH with dimethyl sulfoxide (KOH-DMSO) and with chlorazol black E (KOH-CBE), interpreted by a dermatologist; culture using dermatophyte test medium, culture with Mycobiotic and Inhibitory Mold Agar (Cx); and histopathologic analysis using periodic acid–Schiff stain (PAS). Methods This was a repeated-measure, blinded, cross-sectional study conducted at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Inclusion criteria included: at least one toenail with 25% or more clinical disease, which was defined as subungual debris with onycholysis and/or onychauxis. Exclusion criteria included other nail dystrophies, use of oral antifungal medication for 2 months or longer within the past year, or topical ciclopirox lacquer within 6 weeks of enrollment. The main outcome measure was the cost-effectiveness (Medicare and non-Medicare costs) of 7 diagnostic tests. Sensitivity (at least 3 positive tests) was the unit of effectiveness. Results Two hundred four participants were enrolled; their average age was 69.5 years and 95.5% were male. PAS was the most sensitive test (98.8%); it was statistically significantly more sensitive than all other diagnostic tests except KOH-CBE (94.3%). Dermatophye test medium was the least sensitive test (57.3%). KOH-CBE was statistically significantly more cost effective than any other test, with the exception of KOH-CLINIC and KOH-LAB. PAS was the least cost effective. Limitations Test specificities were not evaluated. Conclusion KOH-CBE should be the test of choice for practitioners confident in interpreting KOH preparations because of its combination of high sensitivity and cost-effectiveness.
Comments on "Asynchronous Sequential Machines Designed for Fault Detection"

A recent paper1has proposed the design of asynchronous sequential machines with an internal fault detection mechanism. The "hard core" circuitry in these machines can be eliminated by the use of self-checking checkers.
Molecular mimicry between cockroach and helminth glutathione S-transferases promotes cross-reactivity and cross-sensitization.

Background The extensive similarities between helminth proteins and allergens are thought to contribute to helminth-driven allergic sensitization. Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the cross-reactivity between a major glutathione-S transferase allergen of cockroach (Bla g 5) and the glutathione-S transferase of Wuchereria bancrofti (WbGST), a major lymphatic filarial pathogen of humans. Methods We compared the molecular and structural similarities between Bla g 5 and WbGST by in silico analysis and by linear epitope mapping. The levels of IgE, IgG, and IgG 4 antibodies were measured in filarial-infected and filarial-uninfected patients. Mice were infected with Heligmosomoides bakeri , and their skin was tested for cross-reactive allergic responses. Results These 2 proteins are 30% identical at the amino acid level with remarkable similarity in the N-terminal region and overall structural conservation based on predicted 3-dimensional models. Filarial infection was associated with IgE, IgG, and IgG 4 anti–Bla g 5 antibody production, with a significant correlation between antibodies (irrespective of isotype) to Bla g 5 and WbGST ( P 4 antibodies. IgE epitope mapping of Bla g 5 revealed that 2 linear N-terminal epitopes are highly conserved in WbGST corresponding to Bla g 5 peptides partially involved in the inhibition of WbGST binding. Finally, mice infected with H bakeri developed anti-HbGST IgE and showed immediate-type skin test reactivity to Bla g 5. Conclusion These data demonstrate that helminth glutathione-S transferase and the aeroallergen Bla g 5 share epitopes that can induce allergic cross-sensitization.
Communicative modalities for mobile device interaction

An investigation of communicative modalities in relation to mobile device interaction while walking is presented. A user evaluation compared three communicative modality conditions: Auditory, Visual, and Mixed (a redundant audio-visual modality). Findings determined that redundant audio-visual modalities are as good as (but no better than) the visual modality, and both are superior to the auditory modality. Reported findings also determined that walking speeds are unaffected by communicative modality. Shape drawing tasks were performed on a touch screen using each modality, and a robust, novel error calculation algorithm was developed to assess the drawing error between the user input and the desired shapes. Drawing error was determined to be significantly higher with the Auditory condition, but drawing speed was unaffected by the communicative modality. The evaluation finds that the visual modality should be leveraged as the primary communicative modality for mobile, map-based interfaces. The drawing error algorithm can be applied to any domain that requires determining precise matchings to known information when drawing.
Changing perspectives in early childhood education: Recasting the Reggio Emilia approach

Abstract This national study used descriptive quantitative methods to examine and describe the perceptions and concerns of individuals involved in the process of change through the recasting and the reconceptualization of early childhood education through the Reggio Emilia Approach. The study's participants were faculty, laboratory school staff and graduate students from selected university early childhood teacher education programs. The study used the Stages of Concern Questionnaire developed by Hall and associates at the University of Texas (1974) to examine individual concerns about the adoption of an educational innovation, and a Description of Program Questionnaire to examine specific program variables. To gain a deeper perspective on the data, an individual from each university program was also interviewed by telephone. Previous research on the reconceptualization of early childhood education has concluded that collaboration is an essential tenet in organization growth (Fu, Stremmel, & Hill, 2002). ...
Breeding time in a migratory songbird is predicted by drought severity and group size

Global climate change is altering the breeding phenology of many organisms, and one reported consequence of warmer average temperatures is earlier breeding times in migratory songbirds of north temperate latitudes. Less studied are the potential interactions between earlier breeding and social behavior in colonial species. We investigated how breeding time, as measured by colony initiation dates across the entire summer, in Cliff Swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) of southwestern Nebraska, USA, changed over a 30-year period and could be predicted by climatic variables, year, and colony size. Mean colony initiation date became earlier over the study, with variation best predicted by the extent of drought severity on the breeding grounds: colonies initiated earlier in warmer and drier years. Colony initiation dates were more asynchronous across the population in cooler and wetter years. There was no effect of climatic conditions during the nonbreeding season. Larger colonies started earlier in the year than smaller ones, probably because of the cost of ectoparasitism and the benefit of social foraging, both of which varied with colony size, date, and climatic conditions. The inverse relationship between breeding time and colony size was more pronounced in years with more severe drought. This study is one of the few to show that breeding phenology of a long-distance migrant bird is sensitive primarily to drought severity on the breeding grounds and that climate change can influence social behavior. If climate change exacerbates drought in the future, Cliff Swallow breeding time will likely become more strongly linked to group size.
Detection of Regional Surface Temperature Trends

Abstract Trends in surface temperature over the last 100, 50, and 30 yr at individual grid boxes in a 5° latitude–longitude grid are compared with model estimates of the natural internal variability of these trends and with the model response to increasing greenhouse gases and sulfate aerosols. Three different climate models are used to provide estimates of the internal variability of trends, one of which appears to overestimate the observed variability of surface temperature at interannual and 5-yr time scales. Significant warming trends are found at a large fraction of the individual grid boxes over the globe, a much larger fraction than can be explained by internal climate variations. The observed warming trends over the last 50 and 30 yr are consistent with the modeled response to increasing greenhouse gases and sulfate aerosols in most of the models. However, in some regions, the observed century-scale trends are significantly larger than the modeled response to increasing greenhouse gases and sulfat...
Application of scanning thermal microscopy to the study of thermophysical properties of ultrathin photoresist films

Monte-Carlo simulation methods are used to investigate the glass transition temperature measurements from a scanning thermal microscopy study of thin photoresist films. We find that, consistent with our own experimental observations, film thickness has a profound effect on the glass transition temperature. Depending on whether the film is confined or not, we observe an increase or a decrease of the glass transition temperature. These findings are explained in terms of structural changes occurring at the molecular level.
Strength and Toughness of Single-Phase and Dual-Phase High-Temperature Intermetallics

The strength and toughness of several high-temperature beryllium- niobium (Be{sub 12}Nb and Be{sub 17}Nb{sub 2}) and iridium-niobium (Ir{sub 3}Nb) intermetallic compounds have been evaluate. Materials were prepared by high-rate sputter deposition and characterized by x-ray diffraction and analytical electron microscopy before and after heat treatment. As-sputtered microstructures were varied from amorphous to microcrystalline by control of substrate temperature. Grain size, degree of order, and second-phase distribution were modified by subsequent heat treatment. Strength as a function of temperature was assessed by hot hardness tests and toughness estimated from indentation-induced crack lengths. Intermetallics exhibited very high strength and low toughness up to temperatures of {approximately}1000 C. Mechanical behavior was a direct function of the microstructural parameters including matrix phase composition, second phase distribution, and degree of order. 5 refs., 3 figs.
The federal government and research

Some 10,000 persons are employed in Government research work, the expenditure for which was $124,000,000 in 1937.
The increasing incidence of adolescent bariatric surgery

Abstract Background Morbid obesity continues to be a significant problem within the United States, as overweight/obesity rates are nearing 33%. Bariatric surgery has had success in treating obesity in adults and is becoming a viable treatment option for obese adolescents. Methods We studied 1615 inpatient admissions for children ≤20years of age undergoing a bariatric procedure for morbid obesity in 2009 using the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID). Patients had a principal diagnosis of obesity and a bariatric procedure listed as one of their first 5 procedures. Procedures (open gastric bypass, laparoscopic gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic gastroplasty, and laparoscopic gastric band) and complications were defined by ICD-9 codes. Results There were 90 open gastric bypasses, 906 laparoscopic gastric bypasses, 150 sleeve gastrectomies, 18 laparoscopic gastroplasties, and 445 laparoscopic gastric bandings. The length of stay for each procedure was 2.44, 2.20, 2.33, 1.10, and 1.02days, respectively ( P P =0.004). Conclusions Bariatric surgery is an increasingly utilized option for the treatment of morbid obesity among adolescents. The procedures can be performed safely as evidenced by low complication rates. Additional long-term follow-up is necessary.
Mitogenic activity but not phenotype expression of rat osteoprogenitor cells in response to IGF-I is impaired in aged rats

The age-related deficit in the dose response of osteoprogenitor cells to IGF-I was further investigated. As expected, the effective dose, but not the maximal effect, was shifted two orders of magnitude higher in old cells. In this paper, we examined whether this age-deficit can be attributed to an alteration in the expression and binding kinetics of IGF-I receptor. We showed that the levels of IGF-I receptor mRNA in cells, estimated by RT-PCR, were not significantly altered with age. Scatchard analysis showed that there were no significant differences in Kd and Bmax in cells from the two age groups. In a parallel study, we also showed that the expression of osteoblast phenotype markers was stimulated by IGF-I. However, no apparent differences in dose response curve were observed between two age groups. These results suggest that defect(s) in cell proliferation in aging may occur specifically in the signal transduction pathway between the receptor and the mitogenic response but not in the pathway associated with phenotype expression.
Cloning and characterization of a Dictyostelium gene encoding a small GTPase of the Rab11 family

Eukaryotic cells achieve complexity by compartmentalizing a subset of cellular functions into membrane-bound organelles. Maintaining this high level of cellular organization requires precise regulation of traffic between membranes. This task is accomplished, in part, by rab proteins. How these small GTPases regulate membrane traffic between cellular compartments is not clear. Here we report the characterization of a novel rab GTPase from the soil amoebae Dictyostelium discoideum. The predicted coding sequence of the new rab gene, Dictyostelium rab11b, encodes a protein of 25 kD containing all the structural hallmarks of a rab GTPase. Comparison of the sequence with the GenBank database and cladistic analysis demonstrated Dictyostelium rab11b to be a divergent member of the rab11 branch of rab proteins. Southern analysis revealed the presence of related genes in Dictyostelium. RNAse protection assays showed the Dictyostelium rab11b gene to be expressed at uniform levels throughout growth and development. Gene deletion experiments revealed that Dictyostelium rab11b was not essential for growth or development. Conceivably, the function of rab11b may be redundant with that of related genes in this organism.
Radial basis function interpolation in the quantum trajectory method: optimization of the multi-quadric shape parameter

This paper investigates multi-quadric radial basis function (RBF) interpolation and its application in the quantum trajectory method (QTM) for wave packet propagation. In the multi-quadric, φ(r ; δ) = (r2 + δ2)1/2, r is the radial distance from the observation point to the origin of the basis function, φ, and δ is known as the shape parameter due to its affect on the functional form of the basis function. The quality of any RBF interpolation scheme is dictated by the choice of this parameter. Many recent studies have investigated a suitable means for obtaining an "optimized" time-independent δ parameter. The purpose of this study, however, is to not only to find this "optimized" shape parameter, but also to analyze its time-dependence in four different dynamical models; the anisotropic harmonic oscillator, the downhill ramp, the uphill ramp, and a harmonic oscillator coupled with a downhill ramp. To obtain the optimized shape parameter at each time step, an algorithm similar to the leave-one-out method of cross-validation is utilized. The results for each of the four models are presented, and the feasibility and necessity of employing a shape parameter optimization algorithm for each of the models is discussed
Optimum fuzzy filters for phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging segmentation.

Purpose To develop and validate a multi-dimensional segmentation and filtering methodology for accurate blood flow velocity field reconstruction from phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC MRI).
Educating the New Makers: Cross-Disciplinary Creativity

ABSTRACT Making computationally embedded things demands cross-disciplinary creativity, and creative designers must master many materials and methods. The studio-laboratory workspace is essential for learning to engage in such creative endeavors. In this kind of environment, students are encouraged to define their own problem statements and decide what to design. The faculty encourages tinkering, design and the play instinct. In this paper, the authors present their interest in building methods and tools that can open new design spaces in the studio-laboratory environment. They reflect on the distinctive characteristics of this learning environment and how these qualities aid design and foster creative engagement.
Carbon and Nitrogen Conservation in Dryland Tillage and Cropping Systems

Soil C and N greatly influence long-term sustainability of agricultural systems. We hypothesized that cropping and tillage differentially influence dryland soil C and N characteristics in the Southern High Plains. A Pullman clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Torrertic Paleustol) cropped to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]-fallow (WSF), continuous wheat (CW) and continuous sorghum (CS) under no-tillage (NT), and stubble mulch (SM) was sampled at three depths to determine soil C and N characteristics. For CW, CS, and WSF phases (F(WSF), S(WSF), W(WSF)), soil organic C (SOC) averaged 10.6 to 13.1 kg m(-3) and was greatest for CW. Carbon mineralization (C(MIN)) at 0 to 20 mm was 30 to 40% greater for CW and F(WSF) than for CS, S(WSF), or W(WSF). Cropping system by depth influenced soil organic N (SON) with greatest SON at 0 to 20 mm in CW (1.5 kg m(-3)). At 0 to 20 mm for SM and NT, SOC was 9.9 and 12.5 kg m(-3), soil microbial biomass C (SMBC) was 0.80 and 1.1 kg m(-3), and soil microbial biomass N (SMBN) was 0.14 and 0.11 kg m(-3). Also at 0 to 20 mm, NT had 60% greater C(MIN), 11% more SMBC as a portion SOC, and 25% more SON compared to SM. Summed for 0 to 80 mm, NT had more SOC (0.98 vs. 0.85 kg m(-2)) and SON (0.10 vs 0.9 kg m(-2)) than SM, and CW had greater or equal C and N activity as other systems. Negative correlations between yield and SOC, SMBC, C(MIN), SON, and SMBN indicate N removal in grain negatively affects active and labile C and N pools. Under dryland conditions, C and N conservation is greater with NT and with winter wheat because of less soil disturbance and shorter fallow.
Blended particle methods with adaptive subspaces for filtering turbulent dynamical systems

Abstract It is a major challenge throughout science and engineering to improve uncertain model predictions by utilizing noisy data sets from nature. Hybrid methods combining the advantages of traditional particle filters and the Kalman filter offer a promising direction for filtering or data assimilation in high dimensional turbulent dynamical systems. In this paper, blended particle filtering methods that exploit the physical structure of turbulent dynamical systems are developed. Non-Gaussian features of the dynamical system are captured adaptively in an evolving-in-time low dimensional subspace through particle methods, while at the same time statistics in the remaining portion of the phase space are amended by conditional Gaussian mixtures interacting with the particles. The importance of both using the adaptively evolving subspace and introducing conditional Gaussian statistics in the orthogonal part is illustrated here by simple examples. For practical implementation of the algorithms, finding the most probable distributions that characterize the statistics in the phase space as well as effective resampling strategies is discussed to handle realizability and stability issues. To test the performance of the blended algorithms, the forty dimensional Lorenz 96 system is utilized with a five dimensional subspace to run particles. The filters are tested extensively in various turbulent regimes with distinct statistics and with changing observation time frequency and both dense and sparse spatial observations. In real applications perfect dynamical models are always inaccessible considering the complexities in both modeling and computation of high dimensional turbulent system. The effects of model errors from imperfect modeling of the systems are also checked for these methods. The blended methods show uniformly high skill in both capturing non-Gaussian statistics and achieving accurate filtering results in various dynamical regimes with and without model errors.
Self-Determination Perceptions and Behaviors of Diverse Students with LD During the Transition Planning Process

Transition models include components of student self-determination during transition planning meetings. Researchers acknowledge that cultural identity may influence both transition decisions and self-determination strategies. Yet the appropriateness of these approaches for culturally and linguistically diverse students with learning disabilities (LD) remains unknown. This study examined self-determination perceptions and behaviors of European American, African American, and Hispanic American male adolescents with LD. Data were collected during focus group and individual interviews, observations, and document reviews. Qualitative data analysis provided information about students' behaviors and perceptions during postsecondary transition planning. The findings indicated that differences within this group of diverse participants were subtle. Students identified themselves and family members—rather than teachers—as key players in transition planning. Students perceived that self-determination efforts were thw...