cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electronic Monitoring For Juveniles

Abstract One aspect of a nine-month comprehensive research project of the Allen County Superior Court Juvenile Electronic Monitoring program Pilot Project is reported here. The author discusses characteristics of the juveniles and the impact this program had on participating youth and the parent(s) or guardian(s) involved in this pilot project. The findings indicate that a well-designed electronic monitoring program for juveniles has many advantages and is an appropriate alternative for juvenile offenders. Not only did the program make juveniles responsible for their behavior, but it provided an opportunity for juveniles to avoid criminal activity. There is, however, considerable research yet to be completed in this area before definitive results and recommendations will be possible.
Reference Guides for the Weatherwise

Numerous publications are available to help reference librarians answer their clients' questions on meteorological conditions in specific regions of the world. Here, Susan Curtis reviews several such materials.
Modeling Rate Effects and Cyclic Loads With the Pressuremeter

Evaluation d'essais realises par pressiometre a cone (CPMT) dans une argile et dans du sable, permettant de conclure qu'un meme essai peut servir a estimer l'influence de la vitesse de chargement et d'une charge cyclique, et qu'il vaut mieux inserer l'appareil dans un trou prefore, plutot que de le battre a la profondeur voulue
Navigating the Path to College: Latino Students’ Social Networks and Access to College

Based on a qualitative study in Indiana, this article examines the college preparation process of Latino high school students. It uses social capital theory to identify the ways families, peers, and school staff members contribute to students’ access to college across the stages of college preparation. Findings suggest that students receive strong support in their development of aspirations from families, but they face multiple challenges in accessing the information and support they need to realize their college goals. It offers implications for families, schools, and higher education institutions on how to more effectively support college access for Latino students.
Kinematics of robot wrists

Robots for use in assembly and other interactive tasks must be able to respond to both forces and velocity com mands within their workspace. By considering a general six-joint robot we show that all such robots are limited in their ability to respond in orientation to feedback commands. We also show that it is simple to predict, if not to avoid, these regions of degeneracy in which the manipulator loses a degree of freedom.
Oxygen Reduction Reaction Kinetics on Chromate Conversion Coated Al-Cu, Al-Cu-Mg, and Al-Cu-Mn-Fe Intermetallic Compounds

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics were investigated on hulk synthesized analogues of Al-Cu, Al-Cu-Mg, and Al-Cu-Fe-Mn intermetallic phases with and without chromate conversion coating (CCC) in 0.1 M Na 2 SO 4 + 0.005 M NaCl (pH 6) with minimal levels of total dissolved chromate. The results were compared to AA 2024-T3 and high purity Al. Cu, Cr, and Au. Net cathodic ORR mass transport-limiting current densities of Al-based materials, lacking large quantities of Fe, Mn, or Cu were lower than the theoretically predicted rates in the mass transport controlled regime of ideal electronic conductors. This suggests a second rate-limiting factor in the case of these Al-based materials that was deduced to he related to Al-rich surface oxides. A second rate-limiting effect was also seen for pure Cr, implying that Cr 2 O 3 inhibits ORR kinetics, CCC inhibited open circuit corrosion, via reduced ORR kinetics. It also serves as a diffusive barrier to O 2 transport. The role(s) of CCC as an enhanced electronic barrier to electron transfer or barrier to O 2 chemisorption remains unclear.
Computational Simulation on Thermal Aspect of Micro-Fabrication Process for MEMS Device

The inherent residual stresses and strains from micro fabrication process can have profound effects on the functionality and reliability of MEMS devices. Surface micromachining fabrication involves a series of sequential steps of addition and subtraction of materials through deposition and etching techniques. For instance, when a typical micro cantilever beam is fabricated, layers of silicon dioxide and polysilicon structures are deposited on top of silicon substrate. Part of the silicon dioxide layer is chemically etched out before the deposition of polysilicon layer. Due to mismatch of coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) in layered structure, thermal cycle loading during micromachining fabrication can induce significant residual stress within a part from thermal aspect alone. Computational method is used to simulate the micromachining fabrication process for MEMS and to predict the residual stresses/strains in a selected MEMS device. The focus of the study is on the thermal aspect of deposition and etching processes during micromachining. Particular attention is placed on the effects of deposition temperature and polysilicon film thickness on resulting residual stresses.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Off-line multiresponse optimization of electrochemical surface grinding by a multi-objective programming method

Abstract The objective of this study is to optimize electrochemical grinding (ECG) process responses simultaneously by an off-line multiresponse optimization methodology. The responses considered as objectives are side and bottom overcuts, surface finish, spindle load, total metal removal rate, and wheel wear. Materials of 304 Stainless Steel are ground by the ECG process. The process variables optimized for the above objectives include electrolyte type, wheel material, grit size, grit concentration, d.c. voltage, electrolyte flow rate, wheel speed, feed rate, and ripple effect. A simple weighting method transforms the multi-objective problem into a single-objective programming format and then, by parametric variation of the weights, the set of non-dominated optimum solutions are obtained. It is shown in this paper that the multi-objective optimization methodology can be applied for an ECG operation, and that the optimal operating conditions for any given set of weights can be obtained depending upon the objectives.
Development of a defined medium for Clostridium scatologenes ATCC 25775.

Aims: To develop a defined medium for Clostridium scatologenes ATCC 25775, which produces the malodorants 3-methylindole (skatole) and 4-methylphenol (p-cresol). Methods and Results: Clostridium scatologenes was cultured in anaerobic broth medium (pH 6·3) at 37°C containing ammonia, minerals and a commercial vitamin solution. Data indicate α-ketoglutarate, l-glutamate or l-glutamine is a required nutrient that can also serve as a primary carbon and energy source. When cultured in defined medium containing glutamate; glucose, fructose and betaine served as primary carbon and energy sources. l-Tryptophan, l-tyrosine, sorbitol and indole acetic acid did not enhance growth. In the absence of tryptophan, cells produced indole when grown using glucose or fructose. 4-Methylphenol was produced when growing cells were supplied with tyrosine. When supplied with tryptophan, 3-methylindole was produced by glucose- or fructose-growing cells but not from glutamate-growing cells. Cells grown in the presence of pyruvate produced indole, 3-methylindole and 4-methylphenol. Conclusions: Clostridium scatologenes requires α-ketoglutarate, l-glutamate, or l-glutamine for growth in defined medium. Cells produce indole when glucose or fructose is included in defined medium. Significance and Impact of the Study: The development of a defined medium will assist in physiology studies and genetic analysis of this strain.
Generation of Killer Lymphocytes in vitro Against Human Autologous Leukemia Cells with Leukemic Blasts and BCG Extract

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients under 18 years of age were studied to determine the ability of their remission lymphocytes to kill autologous leukemic blasts (ALB) following in vitro sensitization with their leukemic cells and/or soluble extract of BCG (BCG-SE). Remission lymphocytes, when cultured together with the mitomycin-treated ALB, became significantly lytic for ALB but not for autologous remission lymphocytes. The ALB were usually immunogenic at low concentrations and no cytotoxic lymphocytes were generated at a ratio of 1:1 of responding lymphocytes to stimulating leukemic cells. T-leukemic cells appeared to immunize more effectively than null-cell leukemic cells. In some cases, when ALB alone could not generate killer lymphocytes (KL) the combination of ALB and BCG-SE induced more intense cytotoxicity than was induced by BCG-SE alone. In a few other cases, the addition of BCG-SE to mixed lymphocyte leukemic cell cultures potentiated the immunization of lymphocytes by leukemic cells. Inhibition of cytotoxicity induction was noted in one case when remission lymphocytes were cultured together with ALB and BCG-SE. Leukemic cellssensitized lymphocytes from some cancer patients and normal persons were cytotoxic to several but not all patients' leukemic cells tested. Nylon wool-nonadherent, non-E-rosette-forming, and E-rosette-forming cells became cytotoxic following in vitro stimulation with autologous leukemic cells.
Color and language as man-machine interface parameters

Growing use of terminals for CAD/CAM as well as the general proliferation of work stations justifies focusing attention on effective communication at the terminal interface. Color is often used to enhance the flow of information even though many aspects of color are still not well understood. Close scrutiny of the color phenomena using fuzzy set concepts as well as conventional techniques has yielded quantitative results consistent with available folk theorems. These results and some new insight on earlier color selection methods are presented concisely. We build on our previous results: a 20 gray level criterion and the quantitative transformation yielding the number of colors C corresponding to a given number of gray levels L. This relation C = 0.074L3 and a fuzzy entropy-based information measure are found to fit closely a lognormal distribution. Natural (not computer) languages present a different problem because of more ambiguity and variability. the bridge here stems from the observation that corresponding to the upper bound of about 200 gray levels for vision, we find that the human larynx can produce about 200 distinctive sounds which is the key to language capability. We focus on English because it is an important special case for international technical and scientific discourse. Our concepts and techniques are extended to yield some initial informal results concerning usable vaocabulary. Based on the latter, we present a general display for number of gay levels, color, and English words. © 1989 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A rationale for the measurement of traits in individuals.

Hypotheses presented in a previous paper conceive of an individual's position on an attitude scale as represented by a mean position (status score) and a sigma (dispersion score). The testing of these hypotheses requires a determination of these two scores for each individual. A rationale is presented here for the determination of these two scores for an individual from his forced choice responses to pairs of items of nearly equal scale value.
Aeroservoelastic design with distributed actuation for high-performance aircraft

A new aeroelastic modal formulation in terms of real modal matrices and modal-state variables is introduced. Real biorthonormality relationships for aeroelastic modes are given with respect to structural matrices. The solution for distributed-parameter-control of an aeroelastic system is developed by modal synthesis from modal-state-space control inputs. In particular, the globally power optimal Independent Modal-Space Control technique is used for maneuver (set-point) control of an aeroelastic system by a modal-performance-output synthesis approach. Control power functionals for an aeroelastic system are defined by any actuation profile and control design. The known solution for the synthesized distributed-parameter closed-loop aeroelastic system is optimally approximated via a gain distribution error minimization technique integrating the transient and power performance characteristics of the system for implementation by distributed, spatially-discrete actuation profiles. For the same purpose, a Galerkin approximation is also given. The method is illustrated for a lifting surface simulating a wing to twist the wing tip to a prescribed angle of attack by using different distributed actuation profiles. Various warped wing shapes can be affected by the approach by synthesizing through different selections of aeroelastic modes for control design resulting in different control power requirements.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Cold exposure increases intestinal paracellular permeability to nutrients in the mouse.

SUMMARY In situations of increased energy demand and food intake, animals can often acclimate within several days. The intestine generally responds to elevated digestive demand by increasing in size. However, there is likely a limit to how quickly the intestine can grow to meet the new demand. We investigated the immediate and longer-term changes to intestinal properties of the mouse when suddenly exposed to 4°C. We hypothesized that paracellular permeability to nutrients would increase as part of an immediate response to elevated absorptive demand. We measured absorption of l-arabinose, intestinal size and gene expression of several tight junction proteins (claudin-2, claudin-4, claudin-15 and ZO-1) at three time points: pre-exposure, and after 1 day and 2 weeks of cold exposure. Cold exposure increased food intake by 62% after 2 weeks but intake was not significantly increased after 1 day. Intestinal wet mass was elevated after 1 day and throughout the experiment. Absorption of arabinose rose by 20% after 1 day in the cold and was 33% higher after 2 weeks. Expression of claudin-2 increased after 1 day of cold exposure, but there were no changes in expression of any claudin genes when normalized to ZO-1 expression. Our results indicate that intestinal mass can respond rapidly to increased energy demand and that increased paracellular permeability is also part of that response. Increased paracellular permeability may be a consequence of enterocyte hyperplasia, resulting in more tight junctions across which molecules can absorb.
Attending to Student Voice: The Impact of Descriptive Feedback on Learning and Teaching

AbstractThis article explores the central role that description of experience, on the part of both teacher and students, plays in reflective practice. In particular, it highlights the power of students' description of their own learning as revealed to teachers in dialogue, a process I call descriptive feedback.Descriptive feedback is neither in‐the‐moment constructivist information gathering nor is it a formalized data gathering process. It is, rather, a reflective conversation between teacher and students wherein students describe their experiences as learners, with the goals of improving learning, deepening trust between teacher and student, and establishing a vibrant, creative community on a daily basis. It is also distinct from student self‐assessment because it is, by nature, descriptive rather than evaluative.Authorization of students' voices currently is acknowledged at two ends of a continuum. At one end, constructivist practices foreground students' learning, attending to the sense that learners ...
Identifying nanoscale M13 clusters in the solid state and aqueous solution: vibrational spectroscopy and theoretical studies.

Raman spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and quantum mechanical computations were used to characterize and assign observed spectral features, highlight structural characteristics, and investigate the bonding environments of [M13(μ3-OH)6(μ2-OH)18(H2O)24](NO3)15 (M = Al or Ga) nanoscale clusters in the solid phase and aqueous solution. Solid-phase Raman spectroscopy was used to reveal that the metal–oxygen (M–O) symmetric stretch (breathing mode) for the Al13 cluster is observed at 478 cm–1, whereas this same mode is seen at 464 cm–1 in the Ga13 cluster. The hydroxide bridges in each cluster are weakly Raman active but show slightly stronger infrared activity. The breathing modes associated with the clusters in the solid state are not clearly visible in aqueous solution. This change in behavior in the solution phase may indicate a symmetry breaking of the cluster or exchange events between protons on the ligands and the protic solvent. Overall, each cluster has several unique vibrational modes in the low ...
Evolution of a molecular exciton on a Davydov lattice at T=0

We develop a theory of exciton evolution on a zero-temperature Davydov lattice which is free of certain deficiencies found in the standard Davydov theory. The approach makes use of a time-dependent unitary transformation on a Davydov Hamiltonian parametrized by a dimensionless lattice constant a and a dimensionless exciton-phonon coupling constant \ensuremath{\alpha}. The transformation generator is expanded in a normal-ordered series of multiphonon operators with expansion coefficients chosen to eliminate various terms in the transformed Schr\"odinger equation. At the one-phonon level, we obtain equations of motion which differ from those of Davydov. In the small-polaron transportless limit (infinite a) the equations are exact. In the large-polaron continuum limit (vanishing a) the equations become field equations whose stationary solutions are those of Gross's interpolation theory. For a one-spine model of an \ensuremath{\alpha}-helix (a=2.7) we find that soliton formation during evolution from a localized initial state requires a significantly larger value of \ensuremath{\alpha} than is required by Davydov theory.
Elementary Lower Bounds for th Length of Refutations

This paper presents some lower bounds for the lengths of refutations in logic programming. These lower bounds will immediately imply corresponding lower bounds for pure Prolog. For programs without free variables, we present the Special Linear Lower Bounds. For goals whose ground solutions would generate a discrete data-type, we present the Asymptotic log(n) Lower Bound.
New clues and new questions regarding leptin and brain metabolism.

The hormone leptin, which circulates in proportion to body fat, has a role in glucose homeostasis and food intake regulation thought to be mediated centrally through activation of specific hypothalamic nuclei (Koch et al, 2011; Scherer and Buettner, 2011). Recent data show that leptin improves glucose homeostasis by increasing hypothalamic insulin sensitivity (Koch et al, 2011). There is a crucial need to understand the mechanisms and targets of leptin's actions since this hormone acts via neuronal receptors to decrease food intake and increase energy expenditure (Williams and Schwartz, 2011). Insights into these mechanisms may provide new targets for controlling obesity.
Effects of endotoxin upon rat hepatic microsomal drug metabolism in vivo and in vitro

1. Bacterial endotoxin, a soluble lipopolysaccharide, has been studied to ascertain its effects in vivo and in vitro on the hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes of adult male and female rats. 2. 24 h after a single 1 X 0 or 2 X 0 mg/kg i.p. dose of endotoxin, hexobarbital sleeping time was significantly increased in adult male rats. Significant inhibition of liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 occurred after 6 h and continued only until 24 h after endotoxin administration, while injection of inactivated endotoxin did not result in any significant decrease of hepatic mixed-function oxidase enzymes or cytochrome P-450. In contrast, rho-nitrophenol-UDP-glucuronyltransferase enzyme activity was unaffected by these levels of endotoxin. 3. Electron-microscopic examination of rat liver hepatocytes did not reveal any significant change in ultrastructure 24 h after a single i.p. dose of endotoxin. 4. Endotoxin failed to depress the phenobarbitone- or 3-methylcholanthrene-induced forms of cytochrome P-450 and the dependent mono-oxygenase enzymes. Simultaneous administration of phenobarbital and endotoxin resulted in 100% mortality of rats. Combination of 3-methylcholanthrene and endotoxin did not block the induction of cytochrome P-448 or dependent benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase activity. 5. Addition of endotoxin in vitro resulted in significant inhibition of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 and aminopyrine N-demethylase activity only on preincubation with an NADPH-generating system supplemented with EDTA.
Protein synthesis in rats force-fed for one day purified diets containing complete, threonine-devoid or no amino acids and adequate or low carbohydrate.

Abstract Young female rats were force-fed purified diets containing complete (C), threonine-devoid (TD) or no (AAD) amino acids and adequate or low carbohydrates for 1 day (three feedings) and were killed the following morning. Protein synthesis ( in vivo 14 C-leucine incorporation into proteins) was measured in liver, plasma, heart, gastrocnemius muscle, and spleen. The results revealed that protein synthesis was increased in the liver, plasma, and heart of rats force-fed the TD diet and was increased, but less marked, in the liver and plasma of rats force-fed the AAD diet. Protein synthesis in the gastrocnemius muscle and spleen was decreased in both experimental groups. Hepatic polyribosomes revealed greater aggregation and there was increased in vitro incorporation of 14 C-leucine into proteins of livers of rats force-fed the TD and the AAD (less marked than with TD) diets in comparison with those of rats force-fed the C diet. Rats force-fed the experimental diets containing low carbohydrates did not reveal similar changes to those of rats force-fed the experimental diets containing adequate carbohydrates.
Author's reply [to comments on 'Exact output tracking in decentralized adaptive control]

In the comment by Mirkin (see ibid. p.348-50, 2003) he points out that the paper by Narendra and and Oleng (see ibid., vol.47, p.390-5, 2002) obtains the almost equivalent result as his paper (Mirkin, IEEE Mediterranean Conf. Control Automation, p. 388-98, 1999). In reply Narendra points out that it is difficult it is to keep abreast of developments even in narrow fields.
Water-Deprivation Prevents Morphine-, but not LiCl-Induced, Suppression of Sucrose Intake

Intake of a saccharin-conditioned stimulus (CS) can be suppressed following pairing with an aversive agent such as lithium chloride (LiCl) or x-rays (referred to as a conditioned taste aversion or CTA), a highly rewarding sucrose solution (referred to as an anticipatory contrast effect), or a drug of abuse such as morphine or cocaine. Although the suppressive effects of LiCl and sucrose are clear examples of aversive and appetitive conditioning, respectively, it is not certain which properties (aversive or appetitive) mediate the suppressive effects of drugs of abuse. It is known, however, that the suppressive effects of a rewarding sucrose US are attenuated when using a caloric sucrose CS in food deprived rats, while LiCl induced CTAs are much less effected. Standard CTA testing typically is conducted in water-deprived rather than food-deprived rats and, although LiCl is known to suppress intake of a sucrose CS in water-deprived rats, the suppressive effects of drugs of abuse have not been evaluated under these conditions. The present experiment, then, compared the suppressive effects of a standard dose of morphine (15 mg/kg) and a matched dose of LiCl (0.009 M) on intake of a sucrose CS in water-deprived and free-feeding rats. The results showed that both drugs suppressed intake in free-feeding subjects, but only the aversive agent, LiCl, reduced CS intake in the water-deprived rats. This finding dissociates the suppressive effects of morphine and LiCl and, in so doing, aligns the suppressive effects of morphine with those of an appetitive sucrose US.
Unit test support for Java via reflection and annotations

Novice Java programmers face great difficulties when learning to design unit tests for any nontrivial cases. Deciding whether the result of a method, or the effect the method produced represents the expected result one must understand the difference between equality based on the values an object represents versus the reference equality (identity) --- and be able to define the correct equals method.We describe the tester library that supports test design, evaluation, and reporting of the results in the manner that supports a novice programmer. The library uses Java reflection and annotation to compare any two data items (primitive types or objects) by the value they represent, produces report where the expected and actual values are pretty-printed, and a failed test report includes a link to the failed test.The library has been used in classrooms and is used daily in our program design.
A Lower Bound for the Time to Assure Interactive Consistency

Abstract : The problem of 'assuring interactive consistency' is defined in (PSL). It is assumed that there are n isolated processors, of which at most m are faulty. The processors can communicate by means of two-party messages, using a medium which is reliable and of negligible delay. The sender of a message is always identifiable by the receiver. Each processor p has a private value sigma(p). The problem is to devise an algorithm that will allow each processor p to compute a value for each processor r, such that (a) if p and r are nonfaulty then p computes r's private value sigma(r), and (b) all the nonfaulty processors compute the same value for each processor r. It is shown in (PSL) that if n 3m + 1, then there is no algorithm which assures interactive consistency. On the other hand, if n or = 3m + 1, then an algorithm does exist. The algorithm presented in (PSL) uses m + 1 rounds of communication, and thus can be said to require 'time' m + 1. An obvious question is whether fewer rounds of communication suffice to solve the problem. In this paper, we answer this question in the negative. That is, we show that any algorithm which assures interactive consistency in the presence of m faulty processors requires at least m + 1 rounds of communication. (Author)
Reduction of density and anisotropic distribution of intermediate filaments occur during avian skeletal myogenesis.

Chicken skeletal muscle taken from embryos in ovo was examined by thin-section electron microscopy. Measurements of filament diameters reveal three nonoverlapping groups of filaments: thin (actin myofibrillar) filaments with mean diameters of 5.3 +/- 0.6 nm (S.D.), thick (myosin myofibrillar) filaments with mean diameters of 15 +/- 1.4 nm, and intermediate filaments with mean diameters of 9.3 +/- 0.9 nm. During muscle development these diameters do not change. By counting the number of filaments observed in the sarcoplasm at different stages, we find that the spatial density of intermediate filaments decreases during avian myogenesis in ovo, from 91 intermediate filaments/micron 2 at 6 days to 43 intermediate filaments/micron 2 at 17 days in ovo. Initially randomly arranged, some intermediate filaments become associated with Z discs, sarcoplasmic reticulum, nuclear membrane, and the sarcolemma between 6 and 10 days in ovo. These associated intermediate filaments course both parallel and transverse to myofibrils, forming lateral connections between myofibrillar Z discs and longitudinal connections from Z disc to Z disc within myofibrils. Intermediate filaments also appear to connect Z discs with the nuclear membrane. The intermediate filament associations persist through day 17 of development, after which the presence of cytoskeletal filaments is obscured by the densely packed myofibrils and membranes. Intermediate filament distribution becomes anisotropic during development. A greater proportion of intermediate filaments in the immediate perimyofibrillar area are oriented parallel to myofibrils than in other areas, so that the majority of the intermediate filaments nearest the myofibrils course parallel to them. The longitudinal intramyofibrillar intermediate filaments persist throughout development, as shown by their existence in KI-extracted adult myofibrils.
Concordance rates between self-efficacy and approach behavior are redundant

Pre- and posttreatment data from a treatment study utilizing Bandura's 18-item behavioral approach test (BAT)for fear of snakes were analyzed to assess the scalability of behavior and self-efficacy scores. Coefficients of reproducibility ranged from .97 to .99, indicating that measures of behavior and self-efficiacy on this BAT constitute valid Guttman scales. Bandura's (1980)method of calculating expected concordance rates is not valid for Guttman scales because all possible patterns of response produce observed concordance rates that are equal to or greater than expected rates it generates. The concordance rate between the items on Guttman scales are completely determined by the total score on each scale. Therefore, “microanalyses” of concordance rates between efficacy and behavior on BATs are redundant. Researchers using other dependent variable measures should determine the coefficients of reproducibility of their scales prior to reporting item-by-item concordance rates.
Alteration of the conformation of proteins in red blood cell membranes and in solution by fixatives used in electron microscopy.

The effects of several commonly employed fixatives on the three-dimensional conformations of two soluble proteins and the protein of intact red blood cell membranes have been studied by means of circular dichroism measurements in the spectral region of the peptide absorption bands. The fixatives used produced significant and parallel conformational changes in all of the proteins, in the increasing order: glutaraldehyde; OsO4; glutaraldehyde followed by OsO4; and KMnO4. The last two treatments obliterated most of the helical character of the proteins. The significance of these observations to the preparation of specimens for electron microscopy is discussed.
Enrichment and analysis of peptide subsets using fluorous affinity tags and mass spectrometry

Although mass spectrometry has become a powerful tool for the functional analysis of biological systems, complete proteome characterization cannot yet be achieved. Instead, the sheer complexity of living organisms demands fractionation of cellular extracts to enable more targeted analyses. Here, we introduce the concept of 'fluorous proteomics,' whereby specific peptide subsets from samples of biological origin are tagged with perfluorinated moieties and subsequently enriched by solid-phase extraction over a fluorous-functionalized stationary phase. This approach is extremely selective, yet can readily be tailored to enrich different subsets of peptides. Additionally, this methodology overcomes many of the limitations of traditional bioaffinity-based enrichment strategies, while enabling new affinity enrichment schemes impossible to implement with bioaffinity reagents. The potential of this methodology is demonstrated by the facile enrichment of peptides bearing particular side-chain functionalities or post-translational modifications from tryptic digests of individual proteins as well as whole cell lysates.
On the Theory of Slow Neutron Scattering by Solid and Liquid Helium

The slow neutron scattering properties of solid and liquid helium are studied in this paper on the assumption that these condensed phases have similar crystal structures. It is shown that, according to this limiting solid model, liquid helium, in contrast with usual structures, should exhibit a smoothly increasing total scattering cross section from the lowest group of neutron energies available at present up to those higher energies at which the asymptotic, free atom cross-section value should be approached. Neutron transmission experiments at various energies should enable one to determine whether this liquid scatters slow neutrons as a solid or not, and if the two liquid modifications have similar or dissimilar slow neutron scattering properties.
Acid maltase deficiency in adults presenting as respiratory failure

During the past nine years 10 patients with the adult form of acid maltase deficiency have been observed at the Mayo Clinic. Three of the adults presented with respiratory failure. In all three the respiratory manifestations dominated the clinical picture and the cause of the respiratory failure (muscle weakness) and the underlying myopathy (glycogen storage disease) were initially unsuspected. Careful evaluation of the respiratory function tests, including the maximal static respiratory pressures, electromyographic examination and histochemical and biochemical studies of muscle biopsy specimens eventually led to the correct diagnosis.
Dynamic analysis of tensegrity structures using a complementarity framework

An approach is presented for dynamic analysis of tensegrity structures in the small displacement regime. Such analyses are characterized by cables switching between taut and slack states. The approach is based on casting the computation in each time increment as a complementarity problem. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the approach. Despite the nonsmooth nature of cables switching between taut and slack states, the computed solutions exhibit remarkable long-term energy balance. Furthermore, by exploiting some features of the tensegrity model, significant computational efficiency can be gained in the solution of the complementarity problem in each time increment. Due to the use of linearized kinematics, the method is not applicable as is to tensegrity structures with internal mechanisms or where the geometric stiffness is significant compared to the material stiffness. The method however plays a role in a more general nonlinear kinematics formulation.
Autonomy as Rule by the Self

In the contemporary debate on the nature of autonomy, it is generally taken for granted that autonomy is to be understood as rule by the self, with the debate centring on how that self is to be identified. Garnett [2013b] has recently proposed a theory that rejects the dominant understanding of autonomy as rule by the self and views it instead as resistance to rule by others. According to that theory, an autonomous agent is one whose various ‘autonomy traits’ render her sufficiently resistant to subjection to foreign wills. I argue that Garnett has not given us good reason to abandon the understanding of autonomy as rule by the self. His account is plausible only if it is understood to require for autonomy the possession of at least one trait with which the agent can be identified. And the best explanation of the necessity of some such trait(s) is offered, not by Garnett's, but by the dominant understanding of autonomy he rejects.
Uncertainties, Trends, and Hottest and Coldest Years of U.S. Surface Air Temperature since 1895: An Update Based on the USHCN V2 TOB Data

ThispaperestimatesthesamplingerrorvariancesofgriddedmonthlyU.S.HistoricalClimatologyNetwork, version 2 (USHCN V2), time-of-observation-biases (TOB)-adjusted data. The analysis of mean surface air temperature (SAT) assesses uncertainties, trends, and the rankings of the hottest and coldest years for the contiguous United States in the period of 1895‐2008. Data from the USHCN stations are aggregated onto a2.5 83 3.58latitude‐longitudegridbyanarithmeticmeanofthestationsinsideagridbox.Thesamplingerror variances of the gridded monthly data are estimated for every month and every grid box with data. The gridded data and their sampling error variances are used to calculate the contiguous U.S. averages and their trends and associated uncertainties. The sampling error variances are smaller (mostly less than 0.28C 2 ) over the eastern United States, where the station density is greater and larger (with values of 1.38C 2 for some grid boxes in the earlier period) over mountain and coastal areas. In the period of 1895‐2008, every month from January to December has a positive linear trend. February has the largest trend of 0.1628C (10 yr) 21 , and September has the smallest trend at 0.0208C (10 yr) 21 . The three hottest (coldest) years measured by the
Combined systems in quantum probability

A framework for quantum probability is developed and combinations of systems are studied within this framework. In particular, we consider the horizontal sum, the direct sum, and the Cartesian product of quantum probability systems. The relations between these combinations and the concepts of interference and independence of measurements are derived. We also consider the amplitude superselection structure of these combinations.
Reduction of patellofemoral contact forces following anterior displacement of the tibial tubercle

Retropatellar pain often accompanies malalignment syndromes and frequently is attributed to excessive patellofemoral contact stresses. Elevation (anterior displacement) of the tibial tubercle has been recommended to relieve these conditions. The degree to which patellar contact forces are decreased and the extent to which elevation alters medial-lateral forces have not been studied directly. We performed anterior translation of the tibial tubercle in knees from cadavers and measured the effect on the magnitude of the three-dimensional patellofemoral contact force with use of a specially designed 6-degrees-of-freedom force transducer, with the natural patellar articular surface in place. Measurements were made in nine knees (average age 67 years, range 46-92 years). The resultant contact force decreased linearly with increasing tubercle elevations of as much as 2.5 cm. The average reduction per centimeter of elevation was 17% of the force measured with no elevation. Elevation of the tubercle had an inconsistent effect on the medial-lateral component of the contact force. As the elevation was increased, six knees exhibited an increase in the medial-lateral component of the contact force acting medially on the knee and three knees exhibited a decrease in this force component. The results of this study show that, while elevation of the tubercle without medialization reduced the total contact force on the patella, the medial-lateral component of this force was altered in an unpredictable way.
Changes in prognostic significance and predictive accuracy of gleason grading system throughout PSA era : Impact of grade migration in prostate cancer

OBJECTIVES To describe the changes in the Gleason grading system over time and evaluate how a shift in Gleason grading has affected the overall predictive accuracy of the system in predicting biochemical disease-free survival after radical prostatectomy. METHODS The Columbia University Urologic Oncology Database was reviewed, and 1515 patients who met the inclusion criteria were identified who had undergone radical prostatectomy from 1988 to 2004. The patients were divided into two time cohorts (1988 to 1997 and 1998 to 2004). To determine whether a shift in the Gleason sum distribution has occurred, a chi-square test was performed. Survival curves and log-rank tests were used to compare the biochemical disease-free survival between cohorts stratified by the Gleason sum. To estimate the predictive ability of the Gleason system over time, concordance indexes were calculated. RESULTS A shift toward greater Gleason sums over time was confirmed using the chi-square test (P <0.001). A significant difference was observed in biochemical disease-free survival between the two time cohorts for those with Gleason sum 6 cancer (P <0.01). The concordance indexes corresponding to Gleason sum alone for each time cohort were 0.71 and 0.87, demonstrating that the Gleason sum's predictive ability improved significantly over time. After adjusting for other variables, the Gleason sum continued to demonstrate a significantly improved predictive ability in the more recent time cohort. CONCLUSIONS We found a trend toward the assignment of increasing Gleason sums over time in our data set. This shift in Gleason sum distribution between the two time cohorts has resulted in a significant improvement in the predictive ability of the Gleason system.
Multi-scale biomechanical remodeling in aging and genetic mutant murine mitral valve leaflets: insights into Marfan syndrome.

Mitral valve degeneration is a key component of the pathophysiology of Marfan syndrome. The biomechanical consequences of aging and genetic mutation in mitral valves are poorly understood because of limited tools to study this in mouse models. Our aim was to determine the global biomechanical and local cell-matrix deformation relationships in the aging and Marfan related Fbn1 mutated murine mitral valve. To conduct this investigation, a novel stretching apparatus and gripping method was implemented to directly quantify both global tissue biomechanics and local cellular deformation and matrix fiber realignment in murine mitral valves. Excised mitral valve leaflets from wild-type and Fbn1 mutant mice from 2 weeks to 10 months in age were tested in circumferential orientation under continuous laser optical imaging. Mouse mitral valves stiffen with age, correlating with increases in collagen fraction and matrix fiber alignment. Fbn1 mutation resulted in significantly more compliant valves (modulus 1.34±0.12 vs. 2.51±0.31 MPa, respectively, P<.01) at 4 months, corresponding with an increase in proportion of GAGs and decrease in elastin fraction. Local cellular deformation and fiber alignment change linearly with global tissue stretch, and these slopes become more extreme with aging. In comparison, Fbn1 mutated valves have decoupled cellular deformation and fiber alignment with tissue stretch. Taken together, quantitative understanding of multi-scale murine planar tissue biomechanics is essential for establishing consequences of aging and genetic mutations. Decoupling of local cell-matrix deformation kinematics with global tissue stretch may be an important mechanism of normal and pathological biomechanical remodeling in valves.
An integrative review of ethnic and cultural variation in socialization and children's self-regulation

Aim To examine the evidence for cross-cultural variation in socialization and children's normative self-regulation, based on a contextual-developmental perspective. Background Nurses and healthcare workers in multi-cultural societies must understand diversity in socializing influences (including parenting) and in children's behaviour. A contextual-developmental perspective implies that normative cultural and ethnic values will influence socializing processes and behaviour, which in turn will influence children's self-regulation. Design Integrative review. Data sources Studies were located using five major search engines from 1990–2011. Domains of a contextual-developmental perspective and a comprehensive definition of self-regulation assisted the generation of search terms. Review methods Selected studies compared at least two ethnic or cultural groups and addressed contextual-developmental domains: (1) culturally specific social values, beliefs, or attitudes; (2) socializing behaviours; and (3) children's normative self-regulation. Results Eleven studies about children's self-regulation were found to have data consistent with a contextual-developmental perspective. Studies used descriptive correlational or comparative designs with primarily convenience sampling; eight confirmed stated hypotheses, three were exploratory. Findings across studies evidenced coherent patterns of sociocultural influence on children's attention, compliance, delay of gratification, effortful control and executive function. Conclusion A contextual-developmental perspective provided a useful perspective to examine normative differences in values, socializing behaviours and children's self-regulation. This perspective and these findings are expected to guide future research, to assist nurses and healthcare providers to understand diversity in parenting and children's behaviour.
Correlates of Condom Use and Reasons for Condom Non-Use Among Drug Users

Two hundred and seventy-seven drug using adults were interviewed regarding details of their most recent sexual encounter. Demographic, attitudinal, and context variables were associated with condom use and non-use. Greater perceived risk of STDs/HIV and positive attitudes toward condoms' effect on sexual pleasure were associated with greater likelihood of reporting condom use. Common reasons for not using condoms included lower perceived risk of contracting HIV/STDs, negative attitudes toward condoms' effect on pleasure, and lack of condom availability. Tailoring messages to modifiable perceptions of risk and condom attitudes may be useful in reducing sexual risk among drug-using individuals.
Fractal Clustering of Ventricular Ectopy Correlates With Sympathetic Tone Preceding Ectopic Beats

Background Fractal geometric analysis of ventricular ectopy yields a fractal dimension, which can range from zero to one and is inversely related to clustering of ventricular premature contractions (VPCs). Low values of this fractal dimension, which reflect significantly nonuniform distributions of ventricular ectopy, are found in patients with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and predict adverse outcomes in selected patients with congestive heart failure and with mitral regurgitation. However, the physiological mechanism and correlates of the fractal dimension are unknown. Methods and Results To explore the physiological correlates of clustered ventricular ectopy, we studied 30 patients with a history of sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation who had inducible sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia during electrophysiological study and also underwent drug-free 24-hour ambulatory ECG. In addition to fractal dimension (determined by use of our previously described algorithm), we measured the mean RR interval (±SD) for all sinus beats preceding a sinus beat and for all sinus beats preceding a single VPC and the mean root-mean-square difference (RMSSD) of all windows of 15 successive RR intervals (excluding ectopic beats) preceding a sinus beat and preceding a single VPC. Based on the directional changes of mean RR (a measure of both sympathetic and parasympathetic tone) and of RMSSD (a measure of parasympathetic tone), each patient’s inferred relative sympathetic tone preceding ventricular ectopy was classified as increased, unchanged, or decreased. If these values changed concordantly, relative sympathetic tone was indeterminate. Fractal dimension did not correlate with the mean RR interval, SD of the RR interval, or RMSSD preceding sinus beats or preceding VPCs (all P >.10). In 20 patients, fractal dimension was significantly lower among those with increased relative sympathetic tone (n=14) than those with unchanged or decreased sympathetic tone (n=6, P =.008). Ten patients had indeterminate relative sympathetic tone. Conclusions Clustering of ventricular ectopy, as measured by the fractal dimension, is observed in patients at increased risk of sudden cardiac death. A low fractal dimension (clustered ventricular ectopy) is related to changes in heart rate and heart rate variability that are consistent with transient increases in cardiac sympathetic tone.