cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chicago Area Study 2012 Research Brief #3

The 2012 Chicago Area Study surveyed 229 center directors in 33 ZIP Codes on the West and North sides of Chicago. All centers and preschools that served three and four year olds in these ZIP Codes were eligible, except those located in the public schools. Eligible settings included preschools in churches, private schools, and community organizations as well as preschool programs and full-day care in standalone child care centers. Fully 70% of eligible directors participated in the study. For simplicity we refer to all participants as “centers.” We prepared a set of initial research briefs to disseminate basic study findings. Each of these briefs describes a set of data collected in the survey for the sample as a whole and across five types of ZIP Codes. The five ZIP Code types allow us to provide a basic portrait of differences in center characteristics depending on the race-ethnicity and income of the community. The five types of ZIP Codes are: (1) mixed race, low income, (2) majority non-Hispanic Black, low income, (3) majority Hispanic, low income, (4) majority non-Hispanic White, middle income, and (5) majority non-Hispanic White, high income. The cutoffs between low/middle and between middle/high income are $48,500 and $70,000 respectively (about two and three times the federal poverty line for a family of four in 2011). We define a location as being a majority of one race-ethnicity if the ZIP Code is comprised of at least 50% of that racial/ethnic group (see CAS 2012 Research Brief #1 for additional details). This CAS 2012 Research Brief #3 summarizes directors’ responses to questions about their participation in various programs, including Head Start, Preschool for All, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Child Care Assistance Program (C-CAP), and Quality Counts as well as questions about their perceptions of these programs.
Psychological Stress Detection in Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment Using Photoplethysmography

Psychological stress can have significant impacts on both physical and mental health. Chronic stress brings multiple adverse health outcomes, including cognitive difficulties. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of literature on the use of physiological sensor data to detect stress and analysis on the effects of gender and cognitive impairment on stress response in older adults, an especially important cohort as the population of the United States continues to age. We developed a physiological signal data collection system based on a portable device and a smartphone and used it to acquire signal data from 62 older adults (72 ± 10 years old; 30 cognitively healthy, 31 with mild cognitive impairment, and 1 with Alzheimer’s disease) in three conditions: rest, psychological stress, and recovery. Through a classifier trained on this data and our own analysis, we show the different impacts of psychological stress in healthy and cognitively impaired older adults as well as in males and females. Our classifier achieved a 0.84 F1-score when discriminating between the rest and stress conditions. Our proposed system can be used as a continuous stress monitoring system in real-world settings that is non-invasive, portable, and easy to use.
Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin-producing neuroblastoma: an unrecognized cause of gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty

The pathogenesis of gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty (PP) includes both congenital and acquired forms, the latter of which may be associated with neoplasms, such as sex-steroid hormone-producing tumors. Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG)-producing tumors also cause gonadotropin-independent PP by stimulating the production of testosterone in Leydig cells. Germ cell tumors and hepatoblastoma both produce β-hCG; however, there is limited evidence to show that gonadotropin-independent PP is caused by other β-hCG-producing tumors. We herein report the first case of β-hCG-producing neuroblastoma associated with the development of gonadotropin-independent PP. A 2-year-old boy presented with an increased penile length, enlargement of the testes, pigmentation of the external genitalia, and growth acceleration. Imaging, blood, and urinary examinations revealed the presence of neuroblastoma in the right adrenal region. Decreased levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone with an increased testosterone level were indicative of gonadotropin-independent PP. Since serum β-hCG was elevated, β-hCG-producing neuroblastoma was suspected. Histological findings of the resected tumor were compatible with neuroblastoma. An immunohistochemical analysis using serial sections revealed staining for β-hCG in synaptophysin-positive cells. Furthermore, immunofluorescence showed the co-staining of β-hCG with neuron-specific enolase. These results suggested that β-hCG was produced by tumor cells. Surgical removal of the tumor promptly normalized serum β-hCG and testosterone levels. In conclusion, we propose the addition of neuroblastoma to the list of differential diagnoses of gonadotropin-independent PP with β-hCG positivity in serum that includes germ cell tumors and hepatoblastoma.
Valproic acid inhibits prostate cancer cell growth.

2450 Patients with advanced androgen-independent prostate cancer have limited options for treatment, with no curative treatment available at present. Chemotherapy, which is at present the treatment of choice, offers only limited benefits to these patients. In this study we have evaluated the effects of valproic acid (VPA) on hormone-dependent and hormone-independent prostate cancer cell lines. VPA exerts effects on transcriptional regulation via inhibition of histone deacetylase, and is a well-tolerated drug used in anti-epileptic therapy. Our results showed that VPA exhibits concentration-dependent inhibitory effects on growth of hormone-dependent LNCaP cells and hormone-independent C4-2 and PC-3 cells (percentages of decrease are given in the Table; all decreases compared to untreated cell were significant, p
The paired-box domain of the fusion oncoprotein PAX3-FKHR suppresses its oncogenic activity

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 46, 2005 6121 Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) is an aggressive pediatric cancer associated with the skeletal muscle lineage. A characteristic feature of ARMS is a specific 2;13 chromosomal translocation, resulting in a chimeric protein PAX3-FKHR. Our previous studies showed that the fusion protein transformed NIH3T3 cells at low expression level, but suppressed cell growth at higher expression levels (Oncogene, 23:6864, 2004). This transformation was evidenced by soft agar colony growth but not focus formation. To further study the transforming activity of this oncogene, an estrogen inducible system was produced by linking PAX3-FKHR to a modified estrogen receptor ligand binding domain (ER), and subcloning the construct into the pBabe retroviral vector. In contrast to our previous studies with the pK1 retroviral vector, the expression level of PAX3-FKHR-ER from the pBabe vector was much lower in NIH3T3 cells, and at this level, PAX3-FKHR-ER did not cause growth suppression. To further explore the functions of the two distinct DNA-binding domains, inactivating mutations were introduced into the paired-box or the homeodomain of PAX3-FKHR-ER using site-directed mutagenesis. In the soft agar assay of anchorage-independence as one measure of cellular transformation, the ligand tamoxifen induced a moderate level of transformation in cells transduced with wild-type PAX3-FKHR-ER but was unable to induce transformation in cells transduced with the homeodomain mutant, consistent with our previous findings. However, in the absence of any growth suppression, the ligand induced enhanced transformation in cells transduced with the paired box mutant. More interestingly, only the paired-box mutation form of PAX3-FKHR-ER induced foci in the focus formation assay, another transformation assay that assesses cell contact inhibition. Therefore, PAX3-FKHR mutated in the paired-box domain is a more potent oncogenic form compared to wild-type in both soft agar and focus assays. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that the paired-box domain exerts an inhibitory effect on the oncogenic behavior of PAX3-FKHR by regulating downstream target gene(s) that interfere with the cellular process. We further hypothesize that events that interfere with PAX3-FKHR paired box function, either by protein-protein interaction or direct mutation, will promote tumorigenesis by increasing its oncogenic activity and decreasing its growth suppressive activity.
Introducing Phonology: Abstractness and psychological reality

PREVIEW KEY TERMS abstractness absolute neutralization psychological reality external evidence This chapter explores the extent to which underlying and surface forms can be different – what constraints if any are tenable within the formal theory, what the issues are in limiting abstractness, and how to address these questions empirically. The central question raised in this chapter is “what counts as evidence for a phonological analysis?” A fundamental question in the theory of phonology has been “how abstract is phonology?”, specifically, how different can the underlying and phonetic forms of a word be? The essential question is whether grammars use entities that are not directly observed. Related to this is the question whether a linguistic model requiring elements that cannot be directly observed reflects what the human mind does. The very concept of a mental representation of speech, such as a phonological surface form like [sɔks] socks which is not itself an observable physical event, requires abstracting away from many specifics of speech. Without generalizing beyond the directly observable, it would be impossible to make even the most mundane observations about any language. The question is therefore not whether phonology is abstract at all, but rather what degree of abstractness is required.
Magnetic antenna excitation of whistler modes. III. Group and phase velocities of wave packets

The properties of whistler modes excited by single and multiple magnetic loop antennas have been investigated in a large laboratory plasma. A single loop excites a wavepacket, but an array of loops across the ambient magnetic field B0 excites approximate plane whistler modes. The single loop data are measured. The array patterns are obtained by linear superposition of experimental data shifted in space and time, which is valid in a uniform plasma and magnetic field for small amplitude waves. Phasing the array changes the angle of wave propagation. The antennas are excited by an rf tone burst whose propagating envelope and oscillations yield group and phase velocities. A single loop antenna with dipole moment across B0 excites wave packets whose topology resembles m = 1 helicon modes, but without radial boundaries. The phase surfaces are conical with propagation characteristics of Gendrin modes. The cones form near the antenna with comparable parallel and perpendicular phase velocities. A physical model fo...
Using decision trees for conference resolution

This paper describes RESOLVE, a system that uses decision trees to learn how to classify conference phrases in the domain of business joint ventures. An experiment is presented in which the performance of RESOLVE is compared to the performance of a manually engineered set of rules for the same task. The results show that decision trees achieve higher performance than the rules in two of three evaluation metrics developed for the coreference task. In addition to achieving better performance than the rules, RESOLVE provides a framework that facilitates the exploration of the types of knowledge that are useful for solving the conference problem.
A reversible resistivity-based nitric oxide sensor

A sensor for nitric oxide is reported that uses a novel redox matching mechanism to induce a resistance change upon binding this important ligand to cobalt.
Resolutions for metrizable compacta in extension theory

We prove a K-resolution theorem for simply connected CW-complexes K in extension theory in the class of metrizable compacta X. This means that if K is a connected CW-complex, G is an abelian group, n ∈ N≥2, G = π n (K), π k (K) = 0 for 0 ≤ k 2. Thus, in case K is an Eilenberg-Mac Lane complex of type K(G, n), then (c) becomes dime Z < n. If in addition π n+1 (K) = 0, then (a) can be replaced by the stronger statement, (aa) π is K-acyclic. To say that a map π is K-acyclic means that for each x ∈ X, every map of the fiber π -1 (x) to K is nullhomotopic.
Education for the Group Worker's Reality

Abstract Within the social work profession, one's world view, one's beliefs and values based on one's experiences, strongly influences one's practice and comfort with groups. This paper will examine some of the different ways of viewing the world held by practitioners and students in relation to the likelihood that they will be able to work effectively with groups. Such examination, and the identification of the differences among social workers that results from it has implications for both teaching and supervision in social work. These implications will be discussed and specific principles and techniques for teaching social workers, in education and in supervision, based on their world views will be described. This paper aims to enrich education for group work so that the community of social group work practitioners can grow and continue to thrive.
Quasistationary criticality of the order parameter of the three-dimensional random-field Ising antiferromagnet Fe0.85Zn0.15F2 : A synchrotron x-ray scattering study

The critical exponent {beta}=0.17{+-}0.01, where the quoted statistical error is from fits to the data, has been determined for the three-dimensional random-field Ising model (RFIM) order parameter upon zero-field cooling (ZFC) using extinction-free magnetic x-ray scattering techniques for Fe{sub 0.85}Zn{sub 0.15}F{sub 2}. This result is consistent with other exponents determined for the RFIM in that Rushbrooke scaling is satisfied. Nevertheless, there is poor agreement with equilibrium computer simulations, and the ZFC results do not agree with field-cooling results. We present details of hysteresis in Bragg scattering amplitudes and line shapes that help elucidate the effects of thermal cycling in the RFIM, as realized in dilute antiferromagnets in an applied field. We show that the ZFC critical-like behavior is consistent with a second-order phase transitions, albeit quasistationary rather than truly equilibrium in nature, as evident from the large thermal hysteresis observed near the transition.
A LITERARY TRINITY FOR COGNITIVE SCIENCE AND RELIGION

. The cognitive sciences may be understood to contribute to religion-and-science as a metadisciplinary discussion in ways that can be organized according to the three persons of narrative, encoding the themes of consciousness, relationality, and healing. First-person accounts are likely to be important to the understanding of consciousness, the “hard problem” of subjective experience, and contribute to a neurophenomenology of mind, even though we must be aware of their role in human suffering, their epistemic limits, and their indirect causal role in human behavior and subsequent experience. Second-person discussions are important for understanding the empathic and embodied relationality upon which an externalist account of mind is likely to depend, increasingly uncovered and supported by social neuroscience. Third-person accounts can be better understood in uncovering the us/them distinctions that they encode and healing the dangerous tribalisms that put an interdependent and communal world increasingly at risk.
Beam dynamics for induction accelerators

Abstract An induction linac uses pulsed power that is applied directly, without any intervening resonant cavities, to accelerate a charged particle pulse. This approach can accommodate a large multiple-beam focusing lattice capable of transporting a large total beam current with a long pulse duration, which may be compressed while accelerating as well as afterward. The mean accelerating gradient is relatively low (less than about 1.5 MV/m), but the potential efficiency of energy transfer can be large up to about 50%. A multiple-beam induction linac is therefore a natural candidate accelerator for a heavy ion fusion (HIF) driver. However, the accelerated beams must meet stringent requirements on occupied phase space volume in order to be focused accurately and with small radius onto the fusion target. Dynamical considerations in the beam injector and linac, as well as in the final compression, final focus, and the fusion chamber, determine the quality of the driver beams as they approach the target. Requirements and tolerances derived from beam dynamics strongly influence the linac configuration and component design. After a summary of dynamical considerations, two major topics are addressed here: transportable current limits, which determine the choice of focal system for the linac, and longitudinal control of the beams, which are potentially destabilized by their interaction with the pulsed power system.
Non-Contact Experimental Assessment of Spinal Facet Joint Cartilage Dehydration

Dehydration may cause undesirable morphological changes in small hydrated tissue with high surface-to-volume ratio during in vitro experimentation that can result in erroneous data. The lumbar facet joint cartilage, an example of such tissue, is highly susceptible to dehydration due its high content of water (60% to 80% by volume) when exposed to ambient air [1]. Recent studies involving thickness measurement of articular human and bovine cartilage from the tibial plateau reported distinct decreases in thickness due to dehydration and the importance of maintaining its hydration during biomechanical experimental studies [1–3]. Knee joint and facet joint cartilage are characterized as hyaline cartilage surrounded by synovial fluid and encased in a joint capsule. The fact that both are synovial joints suggests that facet joint cartilage may show similar dehydration rates; however, due to its smaller size and different surface-to-volume, the dehydration rate is expected to be higher for facet joint cartilage. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the rate of facet joint cartilage dehydration has not been quantified before. It is hypothesized that the facet joint cartilage thickness will decrease in an inverse exponential trend and significant changes will be seen as dehydration time intervals time increases. The objectives of this study were: 1) quantify the dimensional stability of the cartilage samples under a sequential dehydration protocol, and 2) to evaluate the cartilage shrinkage rate.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
HETEROKARYOSIS AND PARASEXUALITY IN THE FUNGUS ASCOCHYTA IMPERFECTA.

The object of this investigation was to discover whether heterokaryosis and parasexuality occur in the imperfect fungus Ascochyta imperfecta. Both phenomena have been observed. The wild type of A. imperfecta grows on a minimal medium containing only salts plus a carbon source. Auxotrophic and morphological mutants have been isolated after treatment with ultraviolet light. When 2 different mutant auxotrophs are inoculated together onto minimal medium, colonies are consistently formed. These colonies might be due, a priori, to back-mutation, diploidy, syntrophism or heterokaryosis. Back-mutation and diploidy have been eliminated, since no backmutant nuclei have been isolated from any heterokaryon, and since the frequency of diploid nuclei is very low. The combination is primarily syntrophic (only 2% heterokaryotic hyphal tips) when the nicotinamide mutant is one component. The combination is primarily heterokaryotic (over 50% heterokaryotic hyphal tips) when both components are auxotrophs for amino acids. From the heterokaryotic hyphal tips, the 2 unaltered nuclear components have been isolated. Heterozygous diploid nuclei (4.2 X 10-7 per haploid nucleus) can be isolated from heterokaryons by plating, onto minimal medium, the primarily uninucleate conidia from a heterokaryon of 2 auxotrophs. The resulting colonies are isolated as potential diploids. Three properties of these isolates establish their diploid nature: (1) the isolates are wild type for nutrition and morphology; (2) their conidial length is uniformly greater than that of the haploids (1.21 times); (3) the isolates produce segregants with nonparental combinations of the marker genes. The diploid isolates are much more stable than heterokaryons. The recombinants from the diploids are still diploid, since (1) their conidial length falls in the diploid range, and (2) one of the recombinants has segregated a second-order recombinant. Many of the expected classes of recombinants have not been detected.
Laser Diode Requirements And Limitations For VLSI Holographic Optical Interconnects

Laser requirements and limitations for VLSI optical interconnect networks employing CGHs are discussed from a system point of view. For architectures with a collimating lens at the laser and a collector lens at the (on-chip) detector, the restrictions on laser wavelength stability are typically ± 10 A (thus requiring the laser's temperature to be regulated to approximately ± 5 - 10°C). Dif-fraction limitations are shown to restrict the density of interconnects to the 104 /cm2 range for many architectures (in particular, "space variant" architectures), rather than the 107 /cm2 to 108 /cm2 range frequently quoted for "space invariant" architectures. Archi-tectures with a mixture of space variance and invariance can lead to intermediate densities. Some architectures require low threshold, high efficiency lasers, whereas others require very high output power with much less concern for threshold and efficiency. A network with 3000 point-to-point interconnects/cm2, each transmitting at a 500 Mbit rate with a 10-11 Bit-Error-Rate is analyzed and the best system performance is obtained if very high power laser arrays (5 - 10 W) are available. Laser output pattern control is also con-sidered.
Sodium, Potassium, Blood Pressure, and Cardiovascular Disease in Humans

The scientific underpinning for recommended levels of dietary sodium and potassium intake is of great importance to healthcare providers and policy decision-makers. Recent clinical trials and meta-analyses confirm the capacity of dietary sodium reduction and potassium supplementation to reduce blood pressure with no harmful effects on blood lipid levels in customary clinical settings. Blood pressure is thought to be a good surrogate for cardiovascular disease events and the most important preventable risk factor for mortality and disability-adjusted life years. Cohort analyses and related pooling studies that have been used to explore the relationship between dietary Na and CVD were all based on secondary analyses of datasets that were not designed for this purpose. Most are of insufficient quality to provide dependable information. The limited information available from clinical trial experience and cohort studies of higher quality suggests a reduction in dietary Na decreases CVD morbidity and mortality. Modeling studies suggest that a small reduction in dietary sodium would result in a sizable general population health benefit. Some countries have experienced a progressive decline in average dietary sodium consumption. However, there is no evidence of a corresponding trend in the United States, and almost the entire population is failing to meet dietary sodium and potassium guideline recommendations.
An unexplored international market—The art market

The international art market, largely ignored by scholars, is defined and described in economic terms. A brief review of literature on the subject is presented, followed by a discussion of the economic structure of this market. It has been found to be an example of oligopolistic competition, and when market performance was examined, it was found to be fairly efficient and generally equitable. Several factors have hampered research in this area, namely, the guarding of price information and the inability to monitor price fluctuations over time. Hence, several attempts have been made to create art price indexes; these are reviewed, along with the reasons why they are inoperative. Finally, directions for present and future research efforts are suggested.
The employment and wages of legalized immigrants.

This article analyzes the employment and wages of recently legalized immigrants using the Legalization Application Processing System (LAPS) file, an administrative file based on the individual reco...
Effect of obesity on patients undergoing vaginal hysterectomy.

Obesity is an excess of fat, specifically triglycerides, stored in adipose tissue, in relation to lean body mass. Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of weight in relation to height (Table 1). Morbid obesity affects nearly 60 million Americans and is becoming increasingly prevalent [1]. In the United States, 26% of adults are now estimated to be overweight, up from just 15% a decade ago. These rates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may be an underestimation of the actual numbers because they rely on self-reported height, and women often report themselves taller than they actually are [2]. Gynecologic complications related to obesity include hirsutism, menorrhagia, endometrial cancer, breast cancer, urinary incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse [3]. In addition, a number of medical conditions associated with obesity have a profound effect on a patient’s quality of life. These conditions include type 2 diabetes, orthopedic joint problems, and cardiovascular diseases, which in turn lead to a shorter lifespan and lost productivity [4]. There are serious social consequences as well. Isolation and depression develop as a result of obesity [5]. Hence, the gynecologic, medical, and social complications together make obesity a morbid disease state. Concurrent with the rise in obesity rates, the number of women nationwide who underwent hysterectomy in past years is at 600 000 such procedures annually [6,7]. Second only to cesarean section, hysterectomy is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in women in the United States. In the United States, 66% of hysterectomies are performed via the abdominal route, and 22% are performed vaginally [8], which is reflective of our institutions as well. Important factors in the choice of hysterectomy route include the extent of gynecologic disease and the need to perform concomitant procedures, as well as relative risks and benefits of each type of hysterectomy; patient preference; surgeon competence and preference; and available support facilities. Specifically, in the obese patient in whom hysterectomy is being considered, thorough examination and evaluation are important, including medical comorbidities, to appropriately assess perioperative risk. In obese patients at high risk, the vaginal route is associated with the lowest risk when in the hands of a competent surgeon.
In-plane parallel scanning: a microarray technology for point-of-care testing.

A new microarray technology is described for rapid, inexpensive, multiplex diagnostics assays. Referred to as “in-plane parallel scanning” (IPPS), this technology replaces expensive laser scanning ...
Engineering surface plasmon based fiber-optic sensors

Ordered arrays of nanoholes with subwavelength diameters, and submicron array periodicity were fabricated on the tips of gold-coated optical fibers using focused ion beam (FIB) milling. This provided a convenient platform for evaluating extraordinary transmission of light through subwavelength apertures and allowed the implementation of nanostructures for surface plasmon engineered sensors. The fabrication procedure was straightforward and implemented on single mode and multimode optical fibers as well as etched and tapered fiber tips. Control of the periodicity and spacing of the nanoholes allowed the wavelength of operation to be tailored. Large changes in optical transmission were observed at the designed wavelengths, depending on the surrounding refractive index, allowing the devices to be used as fiber-optic sensors.
Expression of Carbonic Anhydrase V in Pancreatic Beta Cells Suggests Role for Mitochondrial Carbonic Anhydrase in Insulin Secretion

Carbonic anhydrase V (CA-V) is a mitochondrial enzyme that provides bicarbonate for pyruvate carboxylase in liver and kidney. In the course of a survey of the tissue distribution of CA-V, we detected intense immunostaining in pancreatic islets when sections from rat and mouse pancreases were reacted with a polyclonal antibody to recombinant mouse CA-V. The distribution and large number of CA-V-positive cells in each islet suggested that they represented beta cells. Double immunofluorescence staining of tissue sections and isolated islet cells showed cellular colocalization of CA-V and insulin, confirming that beta cells contain CA-V. Western blotting of rat islets of Langerhans and primary beta cells showed 33- and 30-kDa polypeptides of precursor and mature CA-V, respectively. The CA-V expression was beta cell-specific since no CA-V immunoreaction was detected in the primary alpha cells. Immunohistochemical staining for CA-I, CA-II, CA-IV, CA-VI, and CA-IX was negative in beta cells, and Western blotting of beta cells also failed to identify any CA in beta cells except CA-V. The specific localization of CA-V in beta cells led us to hypothesize that CA-V may be functionally linked to the regulation of insulin secretion. Consistent with this hypothesis, the CA inhibitor acetazolamide was found to be a strong inhibitor of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by isolated rat pancreatic islets.
Gene therapy for Type 1 diabetes

In Type 1 diabetes, autoimmunity destroys the insulin-producing β-cells of the pancreas, which are located in clusters called ‘islets of Langerhans’. Exogenous insulin replacement therapy seldom maintains ideal metabolic control in patients with this disease and consequently, chronic complications progressively develop in many of them. Recently, much of the research concerning the treatment of Type 1 diabetes has been aimed towards the development of gene therapy. The understanding of molecular approaches, such as gene transfer using viral and non-viral delivery systems, are providing novel therapeutic strategies towards a cure for this disease. This review gives an overview of recently filed patents that relate to gene therapy and Type 1 diabetes.
The Developmental Model of Sport Participation: 15 Years After Its First Conceptualization

Summary The Developmental Model of Sport Participation (DMSP) is a model of athlete development which has been comprehensively researched and refined over the last 15 years. The DMSP is based upon theoretical and empirical data and describes the processes, pathways, and outcomes associated with sport development throughout childhood and adolescence. Cote, Lidor, and Hackfort (in 2009) proposed seven postulates associated with the different pathways of the DMSP. More specifically, five postulates focus on the influence of sampling and deliberate play on youth's participation, performance, and personal development in sport and two postulates focused on important transitions. The purpose of the present article is to systematically grade the quality of empirical evidence supporting each of these seven postulates, and provide recommendations for best practice to help guide sport policy in each of these areas.
MODELING AND ANALYSIS OF SWITCHING-MODE DC–DC REGULATORS

The nonlinear dynamics of PWM DC–DC switching regulators operating in the continuous conduction mode are investigated. A quick review of the existing analysis techniques and their limitations are first presented. A discrete nonlinear time-domain model is then derived for open-loop DC–DC converters. This model is then extended for closed-loop regulator systems implementing any type of compensation scheme. The equilibrium solutions of the closed-loop system are then identified. The eigenvalues of the Jacobian matrix evaluated at the equilibrium solution are used to assess its stability. The methods developed are used to study the dynamic behavior of a DC–DC buck regulator implementing different types of compensation design: proportional, integral, proportional–integral, and proportional–integral–derivative type feedback control. A detailed bifurcation analysis of the dynamic solutions as a design or a control parameter is changed is presented. A period-doubling route to chaos is shown to exist in voltage-mode regulators, depending on the values of the parameters of the compensator and the input voltage. A further investigation of the behavior of the converter in the instability regions was carried out to improve the understanding of this interesting behavior.
Iron in the Ross Sea: 1. Impact on CO2 fluxes via variation in phytoplankton functional group and non-Redfield stoichiometry

[1] We present new model results examining nutrient and carbon biogeochemistry within the Ross Sea, focusing on the sensitivity of ecosystem dynamics to taxon-specific nutrient utilization parameters and the impact of alleviating Fe limitation of phytoplankton growth. The coupled ice-atmosphere-ocean ecosystem (CIAO) model of the Ross Sea was modified to include air-sea CO2 exchange and non-Redfield C/N/P uptake ratios of the dominant phytoplankton taxa. Model results show that the Ross Sea was a substantial sink for atmospheric CO2, driven by the high primary productivity prior to the onset of Fe limitation. Taxon-specific C/N/P uptake ratios controlled the relative rate of removal of each macronutrient, while Fe availability constrained the absolute magnitude of utilization. When Redfield C/N/P stoichiometry was applied to both phytoplankton taxa, net primary production (NPP) was overestimated in areas normally dominated by diatoms and underestimated in regions of Phaeocystis antarctica dominance, and macronutrient dynamics were misrepresented. Simulated shifts in phytoplankton taxonomic composition significantly altered uptake of atmospheric CO2 when the phytoplankton were dominated by diatoms (−70%) or P. antarctica (+35%). The ability to bloom later in the season afforded P. antarctica a relatively greater role than diatoms in controlling the air-sea flux of CO2 in the Ross Sea. In response to alleviation of Fe limitation, both total Ross Sea NPP and CO2 uptake increased by 30%. The response of the carbon cycle to Fe fertilization was predicted to be complex, and its magnitude and nature were dictated by patterns of macronutrient utilization.
Expressions for evaluating the possibility of slip at the liquid–solid interface in open tube capillary electrochromatography

In this work, expressions are constructed and solved that describe the velocity field of electroosmotic flow (EOF) in open tube capillary electrochromatography (CEC) systems when the possibility of having unequal tangential velocities at the liquid-solid interface is considered and a slip condition is employed as a boundary condition for the velocity of the EOF at the capillary wall. The coupled equations of hydrodynamics (momentum balance equation) and electrostatics (Poisson equation) are solved numerically in order to obtain the distribution of the velocity field as well as the value of the volumetric flow rate in the open tube. Also, expressions for the velocity field and the volumetric flow rate of the EOF are presented that are valid for certain electrolytic systems and for certain parameter values for which analytical solutions to the momentum balance and Poisson equations could be obtained. The results presented in this work indicate that having slip in the velocity of the EOF at the wall of the capillary could (i) substantially increase the electroosmotic velocity in the plug-flow region of the radial domain of the open capillary tube and (ii) increase the portion of the radial domain of the open capillary tube where the velocity of the EOF has a plug-flow profile, which in turn could increase the average velocity and volumetric flow rate of the EOF in the open capillary tube. Furthermore, the modeling approach and the results presented in this work indicate a method for experimentally evaluating the possibility of having slip in the velocity of the EOF at the capillary wall.
Retrospective analysis of arthroscopic management of glenohumeral degenerative disease.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the results of arthroscopic debridement for isolated degenerative joint disease of the shoulder. Methods: We retrospectively identified 81 patients who had arthroscopic debridement to treat glenohumeral arthritis. Of these patients, 71 (88%) were available for follow-up. The preoperative Simple Shoulder Test score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Short Form 12 score, visual analog scale score for pain, and range of motion were recorded. These were compared against postoperative scores by use of the statistical paired t test. In addition, patients completed postoperative University of California, Los Angeles; Constant; and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores. Forty-six preoperative radiographs were blindly evaluated and classified. Finally, the need for subsequent shoulder arthroplasty was recorded. Results: The mean follow-up for the 55 patients who did not progress to arthroplasty was 27 months. The mean preoperative and postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Simple Shoulder Test, and pain visual analog scale scores all significantly improved (P .05). Furthermore, range of motion significantly improved (P .05) in flexion, abduction, and external rotation. Additional postoperative scores were as follows: University of California, Los Angeles, 28.3; Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, 71.1; Constant score for affected shoulder, 72.0; and Constant score for unaffected shoulder, 78.5. Of the patients, 16 (22%) underwent arthroplasty at a mean of 10.1 months after debridement. Radiographic review showed that 13 shoulders with a mean joint space of 1.5 mm and grade 2.4 arthrosis went on to have shoulder arthroplasty. In contrast, 33 shoulders with a mean joint space of 2.6 mm and grade 1.9 arthrosis did not go on to have shoulder arthroplasty. Conclusions: Patients with residual joint space and an absence of large osteophytes can avoid arthroplasty and have increased function with decreased pain after arthroscopic debridement for degenerative joint disease. Significant risk factors for failure include the presence of grade 4 bipolar disease, joint space of less than 2 mm, and large osteophytes. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.
Isoflurane anesthesia is stereoselective

Abstract The anesthetic effects of the (+) and (−) isomers of isoflurane were determined in mice. Like the clinically important racemate, both isomers produced dose-dependent increases in anesthetic sleep time. A statistically significant ( P (−)) was observed. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a stereospecific action of a volatile anesthetic in vivo.
Transient plane wave scattering from an annular ring above a lossy half space

The transient backscattered field response of a ring above a lossy half space is investigated to gain a better understanding of the time-domain behavior of a radar target above the ocean or the earth's surface. The transition point from early to late time is determined for the three cases of the isolated ring, the ring above a lossless half space, and the ring above a lossy half space, using frequency inversion and SEM techniques. It is shown that when placed above a half space, the response of a target is a complicated succession of excitations, followed ultimately by a pure series of system natural modes. If the half space is lossy, the approximate effect on the late time is through the addition of two exponential signals with damping coefficients dependent on the incidence angle and the properties of the half space.
Expression of erythropoietin mRNA, protein and receptor in ovine fetal membranes.

Erythropoietin and its receptor have been identified in human, murine and ovine placentas. Based on the common embryonic origin of the placenta and fetal membranes, we postulated that erythropoietin is similarly expressed in the fetal membranes. Using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, we tested the hypothesis that ovine fetal membranes are sites of erythropoietin production and action. At 86, 103 and 138 days gestation, erythropoietin mRNA and protein were present in the amnion localized to the cell layer consisting largely of amniotic epithelium and in the chorion localized to the chorionic columnar cells consisting of cytotrophoblasts. Binucleate cells, differentiated cytotrophoblasts known to produce hormones, were identified in the chorion in the region of erythropoietin expression but were not observed in amniotic tissue. The erythropoietin receptor protein was present in the amnion and chorion at 103 and 138 days gestation but was not observed in either tissue at 86 days. In summary, erythropoietin appears to be produced as well as utilized within the ovine amnion and chorion. Within the amnion, the amniotic epithelial cells express the erythropoietin gene whereas, within the chorion, either the cytotrophoblasts or the binuclear cells may be the source. Due to the presence of the receptor, we speculate that the erythropoietin produced in the membranes may mediate fetal membrane function and/or growth through an autocrine and/or paracrine mechanism. Further, the fetal membranes may be the source of erythropoietin in the amniotic fluid.
The whalebill is a stork

THE avian order Ciconiiformes contains a heterogeneous assemblage of long legged, long necked birds which have traditionally been classified together because of superficial resemblance. The order usually contains the storks, ibises, herons and two rather aberrant birds, the whalebill (Balaeniceps rex) and the hammerkop (Scopus umbretta), which are placed in monotypic families, the Balaencipitidae and Scopidae, respectively. The evolutionary relationships among the members of the Ciconiiformes and between this order and other living birds are little understood. Using an analysis of the morphology of the stapes (the single avian ear ossicle)1,2, I have obtained evidence for the evolutionary affinity of the whalebill with the storks, which now seem to form a monophyletic assemblage.
Lack of a nocturnal rise of serum melatonin in prepubertal gilts.

Abstract Experiments were conducted to determine if a nocturnal rise in serum melatonin occurs in prepubertal gilts and whether acute exposure of gilts to light during the dark period abruptly reduces serum concentrations of melatonin. In experiment 1, 12 prepubertal cross-bred gilts (Duroc × Hampshire × Chester White × Yorkshire) weighing 96.4 + 1.3 kg at 5.1 + .1 mo of age were housed in an LD cycle of 10:14. Following a 3-wk acclimation period, blood samples were drawn at 1-hr intervals from indwelling jugular catheters. Serum concentrations of melatonin were similar (P > .05) among blood samples collected during light and dark periods. In experiment 2, serum concentrations of melatonin did not change (P > .05) when gilts were abruptly exposed to light during the normal dark period. In experiment 3, serum concentrations of melatonin were similar (P > .05) in blood samples collected at 2-hr intervals under 700 lux of light or in total darkness from gilts maintained in either LD 9:15 or LD 24:0. Data from experiment 4 demonstrated that serum melatonin could be detected in nighttime samples if exogenous melatonin was ingested by gilts at night. Together, these experiments clearly indicate that prepubertal gilts do not exhibit a nocturnal rise in serum melatonin when maintained under short daylengths (10L:14D or 9L:15D), and serum melatonin concentrations are unaffected by abrupt changes in light/dark conditions.
Genetic control of insect resistance in soybean germplasm PI 417061.

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] germplasm lines PI 171451, PI 227687, and PI 229358 have been reported to be resistant to several insect species. Further studies suggest that each line carries at least one gene for resistance that is different from the other sources. A later introduction, PI 417061, has also been reported to be resistant to several insect species. The genetic relationship of PI 417061 and the other three germplasm lines is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine if the genes for resistance in PI 417061 are different from those in PI 171451, PI 227687, and PI 229358. Parents and F 3 lines from crosses between PI 417061 and the other three resistant lines were rated visually for feeding damage by soybean looper (Pseudoplusia includens Walker) in a greenhouse or field cage. F 3 lines from crosses PI 417061 ×' Davis' and PI 417061 × 'Sharkey' were also evaluated in a field cage. In previous studies, the cultivars Davis and Sharkey have been very susceptible to foliar feeding insects. In these two crosses, the distribution of F 3 lines for leaf feeding ratings was continuous, but skewed toward the susceptible parent. This suggests the insect resistance of PI 417061 is controlled by multiple genes, similar to that found in the other three germplasm lines. Ratings of F 3 lines from resistant × resistant crosses suggest that genetic control of.resistance to soybean looper in PI 417061 is different from that found in PI 171451 and PI 227687, but that the major genes for resistance in PI 417061 are probably the same as those found in PI 229358.
The Impact of Managing for Results Mandates in Corrections: Lessons From Three States

Almost all state governments have adopted legislative or administrative mandates to manage for results. These mandates require agencies to engage in strategic planning and performance measurement, ...
Fracture Toughness Enhancement for Alumina Systems: A Review

Investigations have been carried out to determine ways of tailoring ceramic materials in order that one or more toughening mechanisms are activated in service. Microstructural manipulations, as well as composite formulations involving metallic, intermetallics, and ceramic phases have been used with ceramic matrices. Macrostructurally, laminated structures and functional gradient materials (FGMs) have also been formulated to enhance mechanical properties. Although significant improvements in material properties have been reported, ceramics are still below their projected positions on the materials map. This article presents a review of research activities pursuant to improving fracture toughness of alumina matrix systems and the enhancements achieved.
A brief guide to identifying bacteria in the field, for protistologists

Bacteria are notably the most abundant and most diverse of all organisms but also the most easily overlooked and even ignored. Yet, almost all of the major groups of bacteria are identifiable in the field without a microscope. Odors, textures, colorful slimes, mats, and scums are among the bacterial field marks that provide clues as to which microbes are present. The rules-of-thumb and tricks-of-the trade for identification are often passed down to field microbiologists through graduate schools, but are seldom published for general use in other fields. Protistologists may find this brief introduction to bacterial field marks helpful for placing their own analyses and interpretations of habitats and communities into a greater context. Further information and details may be found in A Field Guide to Bacteria (Cornell 2003).
Fast Sparse Superposition Codes Have Near Exponential Error Probability for $R

For the additive white Gaussian noise channel with average codeword power constraint, sparse superposition codes are developed. These codes are based on the statistical high-dimensional regression framework. In a previous paper, we investigated decoding using the optimal maximum-likelihood decoding scheme. Here, a fast decoding algorithm, called the adaptive successive decoder, is developed. For any rate R less than the capacity C, communication is shown to be reliable with nearly exponentially small error probability. Specifically, for blocklength n, it is shown that the error probability is exponentially small in n/logn.