cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
INTERACTION SCREEN OF SP1 AND RB BINDING PROTEINS REGULATING SP1-MEDIATED TRANSCRIPTION 304

In an attempt to identify protein-protein interactions with the Sp1 transcription factor, we have used a modified yeast `two-hybrid' system to clone cDNAs encoding proteins that interact with both the retinoblastoma-susceptibility gene product (RB) and the ubiquitous transcription factor Sp1. Using the two-hybrid screening assay we have isolated and sequenced novel cDNA species that likely encode for proteins that directly regulate or contribute to the regulation of Sp1 by the Rb gene product. Our previous examination of the cyclin homologue of the human uracil-DNA glycosylase (UDG2) reveal tight and cell cycle-specific regulation by the Rb gene product through Sp1 -binding elements of the human UDG2 gene. UDG2 is suspect in the supression of tumors based on its chromosomal localization and has biochemical activity that inhibits cyclinE/cdk2 kinase activity. The timing of Rb -mediated regulation of Sp1 coincide with phosphorylation of Rb by cdk 2 and cdc2 kinases. Interestingly, some of the cDNAs we have cloned may represent proteins important for regulating the phosphorylation of both Sp1 and Rb. We believe this mechanism, contribute to the diverse and pleotropic actions rendered by Rb which may be used ultimately to control cell growth in response to cell growth and/or DNA damage through transcription mediated by Sp1.
Miranda Is Required for the Asymmetric Localization of Prospero during Mitosis in Drosophila

Asymmetric division of Drosophila neuroblasts, sensory organ precursor cells, and cells in the procephalic neurogenic region involves the segregation of Numb and Prospero proteins into one of the two daughter cells. We have isolated a novel gene, miranda, based on the ability of its gene product to interact with the Prospero asymmetric localization domain. miranda expression coincides spatially and temporally with asymmetric cell divisions and asymmetric localization of Prospero. Miranda protein is localized asymmetrically, along with Prospero, to the basal cell membrane during mitosis. Loss of miranda gene function abolishes asymmetric Prospero localization during mitosis. The asymmetric localization of Miranda protein requires inscuteable. Our results suggest that miranda functions downstream of inscuteable and works as an adapter that connects Prospero to the basal cell membrane during asymmetric cell division.
Minority Representation and Majority‐Minority Districts after Shaw v. Reno: Legal Challenges, Empirical Evidence and Alternative Approaches

One of the most vexing problems of American federalism is the process by which representatives get elected from the respective states. This paper discusses the muddled precedent on gerrymandering established by the U.S. Supreme Court in Shaw v. Reno and upheld in subsequent cases. After conditionally upholding gerrymandering for political purposes in Davis v. Bandemer, the Court now rejects racial gerrymandering if the resulting districts have a particularly contorted appearance on a map. These rulings lack a clear definition of representation, though the Court has hinted that it may be necessary to move beyond the stark procedural view of one-person, one-vote. Although the concept of substantive representation may seem difficult to apply at first, it may be operationalized by considering the chances that a voter or coalition has of influencing an election. Given the obvious preferences of legislators and parties for “safe seats,” along with this vague Court precedent, voters may be tempted to refer districting controversies to nonpartisan or bipartisan commissions.
Stability of 2'-deoxyxanthosine in DNA.

The deamination of nucleobases in DNA occurs by a variety of mechanisms and results in the formation of hypoxanthine from adenine, uracil from cytosine, and xanthine and oxanine from guanine. 2′-Deoxyxanthosine (dX) has been assumed to be an unstable lesion in cells, yet no study has been performed under biological conditions. We now report that dX is a relatively stable lesion at pH 7, 37°C and 110 mM ionic strength, with a half-life (t1/2) of 2.4 years in double-stranded DNA. The stability of dX as a 2′-deoxynucleoside (t1/2 = 3.7 min at pH 2; 1104 h at pH 6) was increased substantially upon incorporation into a single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide, in which the half-life of dX at different pH values was found to range from 7.7 h at pH 2 to 17 700 h at pH 7. Incorporation of dX into a double-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide resulted in a statistically insignificant increase in the half-life to 20 900 h at pH 7. Data for the pH dependence of the stability of dX in single-stranded DNA were used to determine the rate constants for the acid-catalyzed (2.6 × 10–5 s–1) and pH-independent (1.4 × 10–8 s–1) depurination reactions for dX as well as the dissociation constant for the N7 position of dX (6.1 × 10–4 M). We conclude that dX is a relatively stable lesion that could play a role in deamination-induced mutagenesis.
Quantitative determinations of the glycogen content of Gynaecotyla adunca (Linton 1905)

Summary Quantitative glycogen determinations were made on adults of G. adunca maintained in vitro in a standard sea water solution, in standard sea water solution with 0.02 M glucose added, and on adults recovered from experimentally fed bird hosts. In each series of experiments determinations were made at 24 hour intervals for a 96-hour period. The glycogen content decreased as the worms aged in all three environmental situations, although at different rates. Worms in the standard sea water solution showed the most rapid loss, while the worms recovered from the birds showed the least rapid loss of glycogen. Histological preparations were made which substantiated the quantitative data.
Race, gender, and the role of education in earnings inequality: An introduction

Abstract This article serves as an introduction to an issue of the Economics of Education Review devoted to research on the role of education in explaining economic inequality among different ethnic/race and gender groups in national labor markets. The article admits that the broad nature of this topic implies that the research presented here is only a small sampling of the work being done worldwide. It argues nevertheless that these seven articles go beyond most in not only attempting to understand why individuals of certain ethnicities earn less or more than individuals from other groups and why men almost universally earn more than women, but in explaining why such ethnic and gender inequalities change over time , and what the role of educational inequality may have to do with these changes. The main contribution of the pieces, therefore, is in presenting alternative models and empirical data testing them for analyzing changing ethnic/gender inequalities worldwide. The articles cover Hong Kong, Israel, Peru, the Republic of Korea and the United States.
Lipid antioxidant properties of naloxone in vitro

Summary The results of this study indicate that naloxone diminishes ironinitiated and catalyzed peroxidation in liposomes in a concentration-dependent manner. This supports the hypothesis that the action of naloxone in vivo during amelioration of spinal cord trauma and hemorrhagic shock may substantially involve its lipid antioxidant properties.
A study of the rearrangement chemistry of alkynyl carbenes

Abstract Thermal decomposition of a series of aziridinylimines derived from alkynyl substituted aldehydes lead to products derived from a rearranged alkynyl carbene.
Efficacy of long-lasting insecticidal nets in use in Macha, Zambia, against the local Anopheles arabiensis population

Background The mosquito Anopheles arabiensis is the primary vector of Plasmodium falciparum in Macha, Zambia. A major portion of Zambia's current malaria control programme relies on long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) with insecticides. Currently, the efficacy of these measures against An. arabiensis in Macha is unknown, and previous data has shown that An. arabiensis has continued to feed on human hosts, despite high ITN coverage. It is possible that this could be due to either decreased efficacy of ITNs in used in Macha, or pyrethroid resistance in the vector.
An Incremental Method for Forward Kinematics of Parallel Manipulators

This paper presents a simple numerical method for forward kinematics of a general 6-DOF parallel manipulators, which can generate a unique solution directly. This method utilizes the trivial nature of the inverse kinematics of parallel manipulators, and derives a straightforward linear relationship between the small change of joint variables (leg lengths) and the resulting small motion of the platform. The solution to the forward kinematics is then achieved through a series of small changes in joint variables. Numerical examples validate and confirm the efficiency of the method.
Estimation of covariance matrix via the sparse Cholesky factor with lasso

Abstract In this paper, we discuss a parsimonious approach to estimation of high-dimensional covariance matrices via the modified Cholesky decomposition with lasso. Two different methods are proposed. They are the equi-angular and equi-sparse methods. We use simulation to compare the performance of the proposed methods with others available in the literature, including the sample covariance matrix, the banding method, and the L1-penalized normal loglikelihood method. We then apply the proposed methods to a portfolio selection problem using 80 series of daily stock returns. To facilitate the use of lasso in high-dimensional time series analysis, we develop the dynamic weighted lasso (DWL) algorithm that extends the LARS-lasso algorithm. In particular, the proposed algorithm can efficiently update the lasso solution as new data become available. It can also add or remove explanatory variables. The entire solution path of the L1-penalized normal loglikelihood method is also constructed.
FAST REACTOR PHYSICS AND COMPUTATIONAL METHODS

This paper reviews the fast reactor physics and computational methods. The basic reactor physics specific to fast spectrum reactors are briefly reviewed, focused on fissile material breeding and actinide burning. Design implications and reactivity feedback characteristics are compared between breeder and burner reactors. Some discussions are given to the distinct nuclear characteristics of fast reactors that make the assumptions employed in traditional LWR analysis methods not applicable. Reactor physics analysis codes used for the modeling of fast reactor designs in the U.S. are reviewed. This review covers cross-section generation capabilities, whole-core deterministic (diffusion and transport) and Monte Carlo calculation tools, depletion and fuel cycle analysis codes, perturbation theory codes for reactivity coefficient calculation and cross section sensitivity analysis, and uncertainty analysis codes.
Temporal and spatial gait characteristics of children with Hurler syndrome after umbilical cord blood transplantation.

Background and Purpose: Recent medical advances are increasing the life expectancy of children with Hurler syndrome; however, little is known about the motor abilities of children who have received these medical interventions. The purpose of this study was to describe the temporal and spatial gait parameters of children with Hurler syndrome following umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) in reference to gait parameters of children with typical development. Subjects: The group with Hurler syndrome consisted of 18 children between 19.6 and 96.8 months of age who were examined 1 to 4 times between 2.9 and 72.2 months after UCBT. Four hundred thirty-eight children with typical development between the ages of 14.4 and 131.8 months served as a comparison group. Methods: Temporal and spatial gait parameters were assessed using a GAITRite electronic walkway. Step length, gait speed, and cadence were normalized for body stature. Results: Children with Hurler syndrome had slower gait speeds and shorter step lengths than children with typical development at 2 and 3 years of age. Time since transplantation was a predictor of gait speed and step length. Discussion and Conclusions: Children with Hurler syndrome after UCBT were delayed in maturation of temporal and spatial gait parameters.
Performance management for cluster based Web services

We present an architecture and prototype implementation of a performance management system for cluster-based Web services. The system supports multiple classes of Web services traffic and allocates server resources dynamically so to maximize the expected value of a given cluster utility function in the face of fluctuating loads. The cluster utility is a function of the performance delivered to the various classes, and this leads to Differentiated Service. In this paper we use the average response time as the performance metric. The management system is transparent: it requires no changes in the client code, the server code, or the network interface between them. The system performs three performance management tasks: resource allocation, load balancing, and server overload protection. We use two nested levels of management mechanism. The inner level centers on queuing and scheduling of request messages. The outer level is a feedback control loop that periodically adjusts the scheduling weights and server allocations of the inner level. The feedback controller is based on an approximate first-principles model of the system, with parameters derived from continuous monitoring. We focus on SOAP-based Web services. We report experimental results that show the dynamic behavior of the system.
Relationships among Rates of Milk Flow, Machine Time, Udder Conformation, and Managemental Aspects of Milking Efficiency: A Review

Abstract Indirect selection for improved labor economy in milking by direct selection for highly heritable milk flow rate has been suggested by many. However, progress in milk yield from selection will be constrained by including flow rate among selection criteria. Additional costs of improved flow rate such as more udder disease are also likely to rise. This and the absence of direct evidence on how much true milking costs and other production costs are lowered by faster milking cows suggests that more knowledge is needed before implementing such a selection program. The evolution of work on milk flow rate, machine time, udder conformation, and management aspects of milking efficiency that have bearing on the selection decision is reviewed and discussed. Research needs relating to genetic and environmental influences on the economics of milk harvest are suggested.
Inverted nipple repair revisited: a 7-year experience

Background Nipple inversion in females can be congenital or acquired. Women who desire treatment for this condition often report difficulty with breastfeeding and interference with their sexuality. However, data are limited on the demographics of patients who undergo surgery to repair inverted nipples and the associated recurrence rates and complications. Objectives The authors assessed outcomes of a 7-year experience with an integrated approach to the correction of nipple inversion that minimizes ductal disruption. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed for 103 consecutive patients who underwent correction of nipple inversion. (The correction technique was initially reported in 2004 and entailed an integrated approach.) Complication rates, breastfeeding status, and patient demographics were documented. Results Among the 103 patients, 191 nipple corrections were performed. Nine patients had undergone previous nipple-correction surgery. Recurrence was experienced by 12.6% of patients, 3 of whom had bilateral recurrence. Other complications were partial nipple necrosis (1.05%), breast cellulitis (1.57%), and delayed healing (0.5%). The overall complication rate was 15.74%. Fifty-seven percent of the patients had a B-cup breast size, and 59% were 21 to 30 years of age. Conclusions Results of the authors' 7-year experience demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of their technique to correct inverted nipples. Level of Evidence: 4 ![Graphic][1] Therapeutic [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
East or Further East

NATO has recently expanded to include several eastern European, formerly communist states. This article uses empirical evidence on alliances and war to argue that this expansion and plans to expand NATO even more may pose a serious threat to international peace since the expanded alliance possesses two of the three major factors that have been found to be associated with war-prone alliances. In addition, it is argued that the expanded alliance may greatly hamper Russia's transition to democracy. The article concludes that a better long-term policy for NATO states to pursue would be an expansion that included Russia but that would be restructured to resolve outstanding territorial disputes in ways similar to the Congress of Vienna of 1815. The potential impact of this expanded NATO on political transitions in the Balkan states is also discussed.
NESTA: NASA engineering shuttle telemetry agent

The Spaceport Processing Systems Branch at NASA Kennedy Space Center has developed and deployed an agent based tool to monitor the Space Shuttle's ground processing telemetry stream. The application. the NASA Engineering Shuttle Telemetry Agent, increases situational awareness tor system and hardware engineers during ground processing of the Shuttle's subsystems. The agent provides autonomous monitoring of the telemetry stream and automatically alerts system engineers when predefined criteria have been met. Efficiency and safety are improved through increased automation. Sandia National Labs' Java Expert System Shell is employed as the rule engine. The shell's predicate logic lends itself well to capturing the heuristics and specifying the engineering rules of this spaceport domain. The declarative paradigm of the rule-based agent yields a highly modular and scalable design spanning multiple subsystems of the Shuttle. Several hundred monitoring rules have been written thus far with corresponding notifications sent to Shuttle engineers. This paper discusses the rule-based telemetry agent used for Space Shuttle ground processing and explains the problem domam, development of the agent software, benefits of AI technology, and deployment and sustaining engineering of the product.
Spatial and temporal properties of AKR burst emission derived from Cluster WBD VLBI studies

Abstract. We have determined the locations of over 6000 individual auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) bursts between July 2002 and May 2003 using a very long baseline interferometer (VLBI) array. Burst locations were determined by triangulation using differential delays from cross-correlated Cluster WBD waveforms. Typical position uncertainties are 200-400km in the plane normal to the source-spacecraft line, but much larger along this line. The AKR bursts are generally located above the auroral zone with a strong preference for the evening sector (22:00 MLT±2h). However, a few epochs imaged during the austral summer have loci in the daytime sector, especially near 15:00 MLT. There is marginal evidence for a small N-S hemispheric asymmetry in mean MLT and invariant latitude.
The essential moral self.

Abstract It has often been suggested that the mind is central to personal identity. But do all parts of the mind contribute equally? Across five experiments, we demonstrate that moral traits—more than any other mental faculty—are considered the most essential part of identity, the self, and the soul. Memory, especially emotional and autobiographical memory, is also fairly important. Lower-level cognition and perception have the most tenuous connection to identity, rivaling that of purely physical traits. These findings suggest that folk notions of personal identity are largely informed by the mental faculties affecting social relationships, with a particularly keen focus on moral traits.
Virulence of Escherichia coli K1 in Adults

Of 137 cases of Escherichia coli bacteremia in adults at a general hospital, 16 (12%) were caused by E. coli K1. The case records of 15 patients with E. coli K1 and 48 patients with other E. coli revealed that the patients with E. coli K1 had an average age of 54, while those with other E. coli had an average age of 61 (P greater than 0.05). There was no significant difference between the profiles of underlying disease in the two groups. No patients with E. coli K1 bacteremia died, while 16 of 48 patients with non-K1 bacteremia died (P =0.006). This difference was statistically significant in those patients with ultimately fatal disease (P = 0.038) but not in those with non-fatal disease (P = 0.16). These findings suggest that E. coli K1 is cleared more easily by adults than are other E. coli.
Ecdysis triggering hormone signaling in the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti.

At the end of each developmental stage, the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti performs the ecdysis behavioral sequence, a precisely timed series of behaviors that culminates in shedding of the old exoskeleton. Here we describe ecdysis triggering hormone-immunoreactive Inka cells located at branch points of major tracheal trunks and loss of staining coincident with ecdysis. Peptides (AeaETH1, AeaETH2) purified from extracts of pharate 4th instar larvae have—PRXamide C-terminal amino acid sequence motifs similar to ETHs previously identified in moths and flies. Injection of synthetic AeaETHs induced premature ecdysis behavior in pharate larvae, pupae and adults. Two functionally distinct subtypes of ETH receptors (AeaETHR-A, AeaETHR-B) of A. aegypti are identified and show high sensitivity and selectivity to ETHs. Increased ETHR transcript levels and behavioral sensitivity to AeaETHs arising in the hours preceding the 4th instar larva-to-pupa ecdysis are correlated with rising ecdysteroid levels, suggesting steroid regulation of receptor gene expression. Our description of natural and ETH-induced ecdysis in A. aegypti should facilitate future approaches directed toward hormone-based interference strategies for control of mosquitoes as human disease vectors.
Uncertainty Quantification in Linear Interpolation for Isosurface Extraction

We present a study of linear interpolation when applied to uncertain data. Linear interpolation is a key step for isosurface extraction algorithms, and the uncertainties in the data lead to non-linear variations in the geometry of the extracted isosurface. We present an approach for deriving the probability density function of a random variable modeling the positional uncertainty in the isosurface extraction. When the uncertainty is quantified by a uniform distribution, our approach provides a closed-form characterization of the mentioned random variable. This allows us to derive, in closed form, the expected value as well as the variance of the level-crossing position. While the former quantity is used for constructing a stable isosurface for uncertain data, the latter is used for visualizing the positional uncertainties in the expected isosurface level crossings on the underlying grid.
Extraction of calcified Radiolaria and other calcified microfossils from micritic limestone utilizing acetic acid

Micrite nodules are the only source of Radiolaria within the upper Tithonian to Aptian (Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous) interval of Great Valley Supergroup (GVS), California Coast Ranges. Radiolaria recovered from GVS micrite nodules are either calcified or pyritized. This paper describes a method of extracting well preserved calcified radiolaria from micrites utilizing acetic acid. The same method resulted in the extraction of well preserved Upper Cretaceous planktonic foraminifera from indurated micrite within the Khoy ophiolitic complex of northwestern Iran; from micrite in the Green Horn Formation, Pueblo Colorado; from indurated chalk in the Austin Chalk, Dallas Texas, and from indurated micrite in Albian Duck Creek Formation of Texas. The preservation of extracted radiolaria and planktonic foraminifera from the indurated micrites and chalk is excellent and is often comparable to that found in most DSDP/ODP samples. Assumedly the clay content of the rock, and the chemical homogeneity of the calcified test are the principal reasons for differential solution of the acetic acid.
Transformation and T-DNA Mutagenesis

An efficient method to stably insert DNA into a genome is absolutely essential for a modern model system. In general, grasses are notoriously difficult to transform. Fortunately, Brachypodium distachyon has proven to be highly amenable to tissue culture and transformation. Indeed, current transformation methods make B. distachyon one of the easiest and most efficiently transformed grasses. This amenability to transformation is one of the key features that led to the widespread adoption of B. distachyon as a model for the grasses. In addition to being used for a host of functional experiments aimed at specific genes, high-efficiency transformation has enabled the creation of a large collection of sequence indexed insertional mutants. This T-DNA collection is a valuable experimental resource that has been utilized by hundreds of researchers around the world.
Designing Incentive-Compatible Policies to Promote Human Capital Development

One of the most basic and long-standing problems of economic development policy is how to more effectively promote human capital accumulation. In this essay, Heinrich examines the effectiveness of conditional cash transfer programs designed to increase school attendance in the developing world and the provision of supplemental education services in the United States.
What the Pediatrician Needs to Know: Care for the Child with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Rapid breakthroughs in research and technology are dramatically changing the practice of clinical medicine, as well as expectations for the future, as we transition from the 20t“ to the 21st centuries. In years past, a primary care provider would rarely be expected to provide ongoing care for children with complex congenital heart lesions due to poor survival rates. We are now faced with an ever-growing population of infants and children who are surviving into adolescence and young adulthood with congenital heart problems previously thought to be incompatible with life. It is because of this changing pediatric population that education of primary care providers and cooperation between the local physician and the pediatric cardiologist are required to provide the best of care to these unique children and their families.
Renal cell carcinoma: A nomogram for the CT imaging-inclusive prediction of indolent, non-clear cell renal cortical tumours.

Abstract Aim To develop a nomogram from clinical and computed tomography (CT) data for pre-treatment identification of indolent renal cortical tumours. Patients and methods A total of 1201 consecutive patients underwent dedicated contrast-enhanced CT prior to nephrectomy for a renal cortical tumour between January 2000 and July 2011. Two radiologists evaluated all tumours on CT for size, necrosis, calcification, contour, renal vein invasion, collecting system invasion, contact with renal sinus fat, multicystic tumour architecture, nodular enhancement, and the degree of nephrographic phase enhancement. CT and clinical predictors (gender, body mass index [BMI], age) were incorporated into the nomogram. We employed multivariable logistic regression analysis to predict tumour type and internally validated the final model using the data from reader 1. External validation was performed by using all data from reader 2. We applied Wilcoxon rank sum test and Fisher's exact test to investigate for differences in tumour size, BMI, age, and differences in CT imaging features between patients with aggressive and those with indolent tumours. Results 63.6% (764/1201) of patients had clear-cell or other aggressive non-clear-cell RCC (i.e. papillary RCC type 2, unclassified RCC) and 36.4% (437/1201) had indolent renal cortical tumours (i.e. papillary RCC type 1, chromophobe RCC, angiomyolipoma, or oncocytoma). On CT, indolent tumours were significantly smaller (p Concluding statement We present a nomogram based on 1201 patients combining CT features with clinical data for the prediction of indolent renal cortical tumours. When externally validated, this nomogram resulted in a C-index of 0.829.
Drinking Patterns Across Spring, Summer, and Fall in 462 University Students

BACKGROUND: Student heavy drinking and associated problems are common at most universities and fluctuate throughout the calendar year, with marked increases during celebrations. Most studies of student drinking are limited to the academic year itself, and relatively few focus specifically on special heavy drinking events. Even fewer studies include drinking during summer break and subsequent school return. METHODS: In the context of an experimental protocol, beginning in January 2014, alcohol-related characteristics were evaluated 8 times over 55 weeks for 462 college freshmen, including periods that incorporated a campus festival, summer, and school return. Baseline predictors of drinking quantities over time included demography, substance use patterns, as well as environmental and attitudinal characteristics. Product-moment correlations evaluated relationships between baseline characteristics and subsequent quantities, and simultaneous entry regression analyses evaluated which characteristics most robustly predicted usual and maximum drinks over time. RESULTS: Maximum drinks per occasion increased 18% from the early spring (4/8/14 to 5/6/14) to the campus festival period (5/7/14 to 6/3/14), decreased 29% in the summer (7/8/14 to 8/5/14), and increased 31% on school return (10/7/14 to 11/4/14). The most robust predictors of higher quantities in regression analyses included items from each of the 3 major domains with the most consistent results seen for most baseline alcohol-related items and descriptive drinking norms (R(2) = 0.20 to 0.31). CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate important changes in students' drinking during the calendar year, including expected large increases during the month of a 1-day festival, large decreases over the summer, and resumption of relatively high quantities upon return to school.Copyright © 2016 by the Research Society on Alcoholism. Language: en
Sintering of Zircon-Silicon Carbide Whisker Composites and Their Mechanical Properties

Zircon composites reinforced with 20vol% silicon carbide whiskers were prepared by hot-pressing. Three kinds of silicon carbide whiskers with different diameters were used as a reinforcement agent. The mechanical properties of the hot-pressed bodies, such as bending strength, elastic modulus, hardness, and fracture toughness, were measured. Dense composites were obtained at the sintering temperatures of 1600° and 1650°C. At these sintering temperatures, a few percent of zircon decomposed. The room temperature bending strength was improved largely by an addition of whiskers with small and middle diameters. In all composites, the high temperature strength measured at 1200°C was 1.8 times larger than monolithic zircon. Although elastic modulus and hardness of dense bodies increased with the addition of whiskers, the composite containing whiskers with large diameter had lower values compared to the other composites. Fracture toughness was improved by the addition of whiskers. Notable crack deflection by whiskers was not observed, but some pull-out of whiskers occurred in the composites.
Action of 3-acetyl-strophanthidin in isolated mammalian heart.

SummaryIn the failing heart-lung preparation of the dog, 3-acetyl-strophanthidin has been found to produce a positive inotropic effect comparable to that produced by ouabain
Metal Artifact Reduction in Cone-Beam Computed Tomography for Head and Neck Radiotherapy.

Purpose:To evaluate a method for reducing metal artifacts, arising from dental fillings, on cone-beam computed tomography images.Materials and Methods:A projection interpolation algorithm is applie...
A physiologically based hypothesis for learning proprioception and in approximating inverse kinematics

Abstract A long‐standing problem in muscle control is the “curse of dimensionality”. In part, this problem relates to the fact that coordinated movement is only achieved through the simultaneous contraction and extension of multitude muscles to specific lengths. Couched in robotics terms, the problem includes the determination of forward and inverse kinematics. Of the many neurophysiological discoveries in cortex is the existence of position gradients. Geometrically, position gradients are described by planes in Euclidean space whereby neuronal activity increases as the hand approaches locations that lie in a plane. This work demonstrates that position gradients, when coupled with known physiology in the spinal cord, allows for a way to approximate proprioception (forward kinematics) and to specify muscle lengths for goal‐directed postures (inverse kinematics). Moreover, position gradients provide a means to learn and adjust kinematics as animals learn to move and grow. This hypothesis is demonstrated using computer simulation of a human arm. Finally, experimental predictions are described that might confirm or falsify the hypothesis.
Some Observations of a Free Jet Phenomenon in a 90° Sharp-Edge Inlet Geometry

The stability of seals, bearings, and shaft dampers depends critically on the pressure profiles within clearance passages. The pressure profiles which provide the restoring forces and stiffness in some passages are critically dependent on inlet geometry and fluid stagnation pressure and temperature. In nearly all cases, simple geometries or combinations of simple geometries are used.
European Security: The Missing Piece of European Studies Curriculum in the United States

AbstractThis article discusses the state of European security-themed coursework in American higher education institutions. Using a class catalogue search of leading European studies programmes, it finds that European security classes are infrequently taught, and a majority of these programmes do not offer any instruction focusing on this topic. European studies programmes can benefit from adding European security-themed classes to their curriculum. These classes correct curricular imbalance in the discipline, counters the discipline’s inherent EU-centredness, broadens students’ understanding of European governance and potentially attracts new students. At the instructional level, many challenges face professors teaching European security classes – students’ lack of knowledge of Europe and European affairs, a dearth of comprehensive textbooks, and the rapidly evolving nature of the topic – but these challenges can be overcome with careful planning and pedagogy. Ultimately, European studies as an academic d...
The effect of adding xylanase or β-glucanase to diets with corn distillers dried grains with solubles (CDDGS) on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in nursery pigs

A total of 135 pigs (initial weight=7.2±0.2 kg) were used to evaluate the effect of xylanase (XYL) and β-glucanase (BGL) alone or in combination (XB) on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in nursery pigs fed diets with corn/SBM and 30% corn distillers dried grains with solubles (CDDGS). Pens (n=30, 4–5 pigs per pen) were randomly assigned to one of five treatments: positive control (PC, Corn/SBM+0% CDDGS), negative control (NC, 30% CDDGS replacing a portion of the corn and SBM with no enzyme addition), negative control+4000 unit/kg xylanase (XYL), negative control +450 unit/kg β-glucanase (BGL), and negative control+4000 unit/kg xylanase+450 unit/kg β-glucanase (XB). All pigs were fed a common phase 1 diet for one week post-weaning, and were switched to experimental diets in phase 2 (d7-21) and phase 3 (d21-35). Pigs fed the NC diet had reduced growth rate (P<0.001) compared to PC. Pigs fed BGL diet had increased ADG by 7.7%, and those fed the XB diet had increased ADG (9.3%) over NC diet during d21-35 (P<0.001). Overall, XB diet improved ADG by 6.6%, compared to NC diet (P<0.001). Digestibility of DM, improved by 1.6% and 1.4% in pigs fed XYL and XB (P<0.001), respectively. Overall, energy digestibility improved by 5.5% in pigs fed diets supplemented with enzymes (P<0.001). Similarly, CP digestibility was 5.9% greater in pigs fed diets supplemented with enzymes as compared to the NC (P<0.001). Addition of XYL, BGL, and XB increased average NDF, ADF, and hemicellulose digestibility by 33%, 30%, and 34%, respectively, when compared to NC diet (P<0.02). Supplementation of XYL, BGL, or both enzymes improved P digestibility (46%) when compared to NC diet (P<0.01). The results indicate that ADG was improved by the XB combination, with most of the response accounted for by BGL. There was no effect of enzyme on ADFI or G:F. In contrast, XYL, BGL and XB improved nutrient digestibility. Enzyme supplementation at least partially reduced the negative impact of CDDGS on nutrient digestibility and growth.
Methods to model particulate matter clarification of unit operations subject to unsteady loadings

Stormwater, and also wastewater unit operations (UOs) to a much lower extent, are subject to unsteady hydrodynamic and particulate matter (PM) fluxes. Simulating fully transient clarification of hetero-disperse PM requires much greater computational expense compared to steady simulations. An alternative to fully unsteady methods are stepwise steady (SS) methods which use stepwise steady flow transport and fate to approximate unsteady PM clarification of a UO during transient hydraulic loadings such as rainfall-runoff. The rationale is reduced computational effort for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) compared to simulating continuous unsteadiness of such events. An implicit solution stepwise steady (IS3) method is one approach which builds upon previous SS methods. The IS3 method computes steady flows that are representative of unsteady PM transport throughout an unsteady loading. This method departs from some previous SS methods that assume PM fate can be simulated with an instantaneous clarifier (basin) influent flowrate coupled with a PM input. In this study, various SS methods were tested for basins of varying size and residence time to examine PM fate. Differences between SS methods were a function of turnover fraction indicating the role of unsteady flowrates on PM transport for larger basins of longer residence times. The breakpoint turnover fraction was between two and three. The IS3 method best approximated unsteady behavior of larger basins. These methods identified limitations when utilizing standard event-based loading analysis for larger basins. For basins with a turnover fraction less than two, the majority of effluent PM did not originate from the event-based flow; originating from previous event loadings or existing storage. Inter- and multiple event processes and interactions, that are dependent on this inflow turnover fraction, are not accounted for by single event-based inflow models. Results suggest the use of long-term continuous modeling combined with the IS3 method for hydraulic, PM and chemical loadings to a UO when the turnover fraction is less than three.
from Advocacy to Activism: Families, Communities, and Collective Change

Although countries across the globe support the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006), when faced with competing economic priorities, their policies and practices too often negatively impact children with disabilities and their families (Ferguson, 2008). Current social and educational structures are implicated in inequitable services, particularly for those families from nondominant languages and minority racial and ethnic groups (McCall & Skrtic, 2009; Ong-Dean, 2009). Recognizing the importance of contexts and power imbalances, we posit that the broader communities in which families live and that determine the opportunities they are afforded, should be explicitly addressed when evaluating a family's quality of life. This article provides an analysis of family quality of life in the context of parents’ struggle to access equitable education for their children with disabilities, and suggests that the Quality of Life (QoL) conceptual framework (Brown, Schalock, & Brown, 2009), having already expanded to include the individual to the family unit, be further extended to engage the community. To illustrate, we describe two community-based projects aimed at moving family involvement in special education away from a model of individual advocacy, situated within western ethnocentric organizational structures that rely on sociocultural capital, to grassroots collective activism.
Clinical Assessment of the Gingiva and Alveolus

The first step heading to successful implant outcomes is a meticulous clinical examination. It provides implantologists a clear picture for diagnosis, treatment plan, and prevention of possible complications. This chapter suggests a guideline for comprehensive clinical evaluation on both gingiva and alveolus as well as general checking via palpation, probing, and visual perception. Prior to evaluation of future implant sites, an overall investigation is mandatory to verify the locations of anatomic structures, occlusion, esthetic, and pathologic conditions. Periodontal charting is of the essence in recording current soft tissue conditions to analyze periodontal/peri-implant health. Clinicians should also be aware of individual tissue biotype, keratinized mucosa, and biologic width for better soft tissue management. In addition to soft tissue, ridge dimension and ridge deformities should be entailed. With the aids of both clinical and radiographic examinations, these data found the basis for the precise diagnosis and comprehensive treatments, leading to uneventful outcomes and successful implant therapy.
The Utility of the Cognitive Function Instrument (CFI) to Detect Cognitive Decline in Non-Demented Older Adults.

BACKGROUND Subjective cognitive complaint is a sensitive marker of decline. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to (1) examine reliability of subjective cognitive complaint using the Cognitive Function Instrument (CFI), and (2) assess the utility of the CFI to detect cognitive decline in non-demented elders. METHODS Data from a four-year longitudinal study at multiple Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS) sites were extracted (n = 644). Of these, 497 had Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) global scores of 0 and 147 had a CDR of 0.5. Mean age and education were 79.5±3.6 and 15.0±3.1 years, respectively. All participants and their study partners completed the subject and study partner CFI yearly. Modified Mini-Mental State Exam (mMMSE) and Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) were administered. Scores below the predetermined cut-off scores on either measure at annual visit were triggers for a full diagnostic evaluation. Cognitive decline was defined by the absence/presence of the trigger. RESULTS Three-month test retest reliability showed that inter-class coefficients for subject and study partner CFI were 0.76 and 0.78, respectively. Generalized estimating equation method revealed that both subject and study partner CFI change scores and scores from previous year were sensitive to cognitive decline in the CDR 0 group (p < 0.05). In the CDR 0.5 group, only the study partner CFI change score predicted cognitive decline (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Cognitive decline was predicted differentially by CDR level with subject CFI scores providing the best prediction for those with CDR 0 while study partner CFI predicted best for those at CDR 0.5.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF CHROMATIN STRUCTURE TO DNA SEQUENCE ORGANIZATION AT A HEAT SHOCK LOCUS OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

ABSTRACT The patterns of digestion produced by micrococcal nuclease and the cleavage agent 1,10-phenanthroline-cuprous complex, in protein-free DNA from the region 67B of Drosophila melanogaster have been investigated. These patterns proved to be very similar and clearly related to the functional arrangement of the DNA. Relatively few preferential cuts were observed in the DNA across known genes, while many such cuts were seen in the spacers between genes. While both cleavage reagents show some sequence preferences, this is not sufficient to explain the patterns. It appears likely that secondary structural features along the DNA double helix are recognized in common by these two dissimilar reagents.
Effectiveness of Pharmaceutical Smoking Cessation Aids in a Nationally Representative Cohort of American Smokers

Author(s): Leas, Eric C; Pierce, John P; Benmarhnia, Tarik; White, Martha M; Noble, Madison L; Trinidad, Dennis R; Strong, David R | Abstract: Background:Despite strong efficacy in randomized trials, the population effectiveness of pharmaceutical aids in long-term smoking cessation is lacking, possibly because of confounding (factors that are associated with both pharmaceutical aid use and difficulty quitting). Matching techniques in longitudinal studies can remove this confounding bias. Methods:Using the nationally representative Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey (TUS-CPS), we assessed the effectiveness of medications to aid quitting among baseline adult smokers who attempted to quit prior to one year of follow-up in two longitudinal studies: 2002-2003 and 2010-2011. Pharmaceutical aid users and nonusers with complete data (n = 2129) were matched using propensity score models with 12 potential confounders (age, sex, race-ethnicity, education, smoking intensity, nicotine dependence, previous quit history, self-efficacy to quit, smoke-free homes, survey year, and cessation aid use). Using matched data sets, logistic regression models were fit to assess whether use of any individual pharmaceutical aid increased the proportion of patients who were abstinent for 30 days or more at follow-up. Results:Propensity score matching markedly improved balance on the potential confounders between the pharmaceutical aid use groups. Using matched samples to provide a balanced comparison, there was no evidence that use of varenicline (adjusted risk difference [aRD] = 0.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.07 to 0.11), bupropion (aRD = 0.02, 95% CI = -0.04 to 0.09), or nicotine replacement (aRD = 0.01, 95% CI = -0.03 to 0.06) increased the probability of 30 days or more smoking abstinence at one-year follow-up. Conclusions:The lack of effectiveness of pharmaceutical aids in increasing long-term cessation in population samples is not an artifact caused by confounded analyses. A possible explanation is that counseling and support interventions provided in efficacy trials are rarely delivered in the general population.
Timing of white-tailed deer browsing affects wetland plant communities

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimm.) have the potential to alter plant community composition and successional trajectory by browsing differentially on forb, graminoid, and woody species. The objective of this study was to determine if seasonal elimination of deer browsing changed wetland plant community composition and structure. We established 66 deer exclosure plots in two wetland vegetation communities in Canaan Valley, West Virginia, USA. Plots were established in April 2005 and monitoring was conducted in June and October, 2005–2007 to obtain data on both early and late species. Composition differed between control and treatment plots in Solidago spp.–Rubus hispidus L. communities in late-protected plots (enclosed July–October) when data were gathered in October. Community composition also varied in early-protected plots (enclosed April–July) when data were gathered in June. Forb cover increased in treatment plots in Solidago spp.–Rubus hispidus communities. Composition differed in Populus tremuloides Michx. communities in late-protected and continuously protected plots. There was no increase in cover by any wetland indicator status categories after 2 years of protection. Timing of browse played an influential role in the effect that white-tailed deer have on wetland plant communities. Our results suggest that reducing browsing pressure seasonally can increase forb species cover.