cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PARENTS AS TEACHERS OF THEIR OWN LEARNING DISABLED CHILDREN

The aim of this research was to investigate parental belief systems and parental childrearing practices, relative to the intellectual development of the communication handicapped (CH) preschool child, embedded within the context of family size and ordinal position of the CH child. An equal number of families with a non-handicaped (NCH) child served as a contrast group. The basic hypothesis underlying this research was that parental practices would be directly related to parents' beliefs about child development processes and about their own child's cognitive competence. These beliefs stem from at least two factors: First, experience as a child in a family; second, experience as a parent. The parent-child relationship in this setting was viewed as interactional, where each parent acted as teacher, socializer and manager of the child's behavior. In this role, the parent also learned both from the CH child and NCH child in the family. Therein lay the interest in investigating the impact of the parent-child relationship on parents and on CH children. Specifically, the study addressed four problems: (1) the relationship between parental belief systems regarding children's cognitive capabilities in general and with respect to their own CH child in particular, (2) the effect of the CH child's level of functioning and position in the family constellation on parental belief systems, (3) the relationship between these perspectives and actual parental teaching and management strategies, and (4) the effect of such teaching/management behaviors on the CH child's level of cognitive functioning and level of representational competence. Each of these segments was identified and a path (causal) analysis model was developed from data collected with the following instruments: The Communication Strategy Interview, the Construction of the Child Interview, The Family Influences on Childrearing Interview (all of which were used to assess parental beliefs about developmental states and processes and to assess childrearing strategies and family practices); The Parent-Child Interaction Observation System [based on Sigel's (1979) distancing theory of representational competence, this was used to identify different types of parent-child interactions in structured teaching contexts and in semistructured story-telling task]; and a series of standard evaluation tests and nonverbal Piagetian tasks that focused on transformation, memory, sequencing and anticipation to evaluate children's level of cognitive functioning and representational abilities.
Entropy law and exhaustion of natural resources Is Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen's paradigm defensible?

Abstract I examine whether the entropy law dictates absolute limits to growth. I distinguish the entropy law proper - diffusion without coherent work - from its application, the Carnot cycle - diffusion with coherent work. While the entropy law pertains to mechanistic systems, the Carnot cycle is the result of purposeful agency. Since the economic process is carried out by purposeful agency to generate coherent work, it is not governed by the entropy law. Rather, it resembles the Carnot cycle. Resources hence cannot be defined objectively a la the entropy law. Resources can only be defined relative to the purposeful agency. Thus, the prognosticators of doom, like Georgescu-Roegen, cannot be bolstered by the entropy law.
Long-term stability of transgene expression driven by barley endosperm-specific hordein promoters in transgenic barley

In order to evaluate the long-term stability of transgene expression driven by the B(1)- and D-hordein promoters in transgenic barley ( Hordeum vulgare L., 2 n=2 x=14), we analyzed plants from 15 independent transgenic barley lines [6 for uidA and 9 for sgfp(S65T)] produced via microprojectile bombardment of immature embryos; 4 were diploid and 11 were tetraploid. The expression and inheritance of transgenes were determined by analysis of functional transgene expression, polymerase chain reaction and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Ability to express transgenes driven by either B(1)- or D-hordein promoter was inherited in T(4) and later generations: T(4) (2 lines), T(5) (8 lines), T(6) (3 lines), T(8) (1 line) and T(9) (1 line). Homozygous transgenic plants were obtained from 12 lines [5 for uidA and 7 for sgfp(S65T)]; the remaining lines are currently being analyzed. The application of the FISH technique for physical mapping of chromosomes was useful for early screening of homozygous plants by examining for presence of the transgene. For example, one line expressing uidA, and shown to have doublet fluorescence signals on a pair of homologous chromosomes was confirmed as a homozygous line by its segregation ratio; additionally this line showed stable inheritance of the transgene to T(9) progeny. The expression of transgenes in most lines (14 out of 15 lines) driven by hordein promoters was stably transmitted to T(4) or later generations, although there was a skewed segregation pattern (1:1) from the T(1) generation onward in the remaining line. In contrast, transgene silencing or transgene loss under the control of the maize ubiquitin promoter was observed in progeny of only 6 out of 15 lines.
The Known and Possible Role of Minerals in Trout Nutrition and Physiology

Abstract The known role of minerals in trout nutrition and physiology are discussed. It is pointed out that dissolved minerals in the water play an important part in the normal metabolism of the fish. A knowledge of mineral metabolism in higher animals has resulted in the rearing of more vigorous and healthy animals and the accumulation of such knowledge for fish should provide a sounder basis for both the rearing of hatchery fish and the management of natural waters.
Programmed death of peripheral pioneer neurons in the grasshopper embryo.

Abstract The Ti1 pioneer neurons arise at the distal tip of the metathoracic leg in the grasshopper embryo, and are the first neurons in the limb bud to extend axons to the central nervous system ( C. M. Bate (1976) Nature (London) 260, 54–56 ; H. Keshishian (1980) Dev. Biol. 80, 388–397 ). By providing a neural pathway along which growth cones of later arising neurons migrate, these pioneer axons establish the route of one of the major nerve trunks in the leg ( Keshishian, 1980 ; R. K. Ho and C. S. Goodman (1982) Nature (London) 297, 404–406 ; D. Bentley and H. Keshishian (1982) Science 218, 1082–1088 ). Here, we demonstrate that at the 55–59% stage of development, the two Ti1 pioneer neurons undergo programmed death. The role which these pioneers serve in establishing a nerve route appears to be their only function, and may be important for the normal development of the peripheral nervous system. The Ti1 pioneers provide an example of a previously hypothesized class ( J. W. Truman (1984) Annu. Rev. Neurosci. 7, 171–188 ) of programmed neuron death: obsolete neurons whose function was developmental rather than behavioral.
Tactile discrimination and somatosensory evoked responses after midbrain lesions in cats and rats

Abstract Tactile discriminations and somatosensory evoked potentials were investigated before and after lesions in the midbrain lemniscal pathways of cats and rats. Midbrain lesions were placed under electrophysiologic control at sites where brief, shortlatency evoked responses to contralateral stimuli could be recorded. Although the lesions extensively damaged the lemniscal pathways, they did not prevent learning or relearning roughness discriminations to control values. Evoked responses remained normal or near normal postoperatively in the behaviorally tested animals. Cats prepared for chronic electrophysiologic recording showed attenuated cortical evoked responses only if the lesions extended medially from the medial lemniscus, the cervicothalamic tract, and the lateral component of the spinothalamic tract in the midbrain. The spared or recovered function was ascribed to lemniscal fibers known anatomically to travel outside the main body of these tracts, perhaps supported by spared fibers in the damaged region. The data further demonstrate that small fragments of sensory pathways are capable of mediating normal or near-normal performance on some simple discriminations.
Numerical method for transient responses of linear networks with lumped, distributed or mixed parameters

Abstract Transient responses of linear networks with distributed or mixed lumped-distributed elements are difficult to evaluate because of the infinite number of poles. The method presented here is easily applicable for any kind of transfer function, including feedback systems, and does not require the knowledge of the poles of the function under consideration. It can be used for the evaluation of responses of lumped-element networks. Errors of the results can be estimated by using two successive numerical approximations.
Electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility of ThOs2

The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity of ThOs2 shows an unusual behavior. Anomalies in the magnetic susceptibility and low temperature crystal structure were sought but not found.
Complete Pump Characteristics and the Effects of Specific Speeds on Hydraulic Transients

This paper presents complete pump characteristics of specific speeds 1800, 7600, and 13,500 (gpm units) in the ν – hP (flow ratio-head ratio) co-ordinate system. The method of developing these complete pump characteristics from test data is described. The three complete pump characteristics are compared, and the effects of specific speed on hydraulic transients caused by power failure or pump shutoff is presented.
Relational message interpretations of touch, conversational distance, and posture

According to a social meaning model of nonverbal communication, many nonverbal behaviors have consensually recognized meanings. Two field experiments examined this presumption by investigating the relational message interpretations assigned to differing levels and types of touch, proximity, and posture. Also examined were the possible moderating effects of the communicator characteristics of gender and attractiveness and relationship characteristics of gender composition and status differentials. Results showed that touching typically conveyed more composure, immediacy, receptivity/trust, affection, similarity/depth/equality, dominance, and informality than its absence. The form of touch also mattered, with handholding and face touching expressing the most intimacy, composure, and informality; handholding and the handshake expressing the least dominance, and the handshake conveying the most formality but also receptivity/trust. Postural openness/relaxation paralleled touch in conveying greater intimacy, composure, informality, and similarity but was also less dominant than a closed/tense posture. Close proximity was also more immediate and similar but dominant. Proximity and postural openness together produced differential interpretations of composure, similarity, and affection. Gender initiator attractiveness was more influential than status in moderating interpretations.
High-Frequency Resistance of Thin Films

Measurements of high-frequency (hf) resistance of thin films have been performed. It is shown that the relatively small decrease of resistance with frequency occurring for uniform resistance is due to self-capacitance; the simple transmission line theory of this effect, originally presented by Howe, is incorrect. Additional decrease of hf resistance beyond that due to self-capacitance has been found to be due to the presence of nonuniform regions in the resistor and not to the presence of intercrystallite barriers in the frequency range considered. Properly interpreted, hf measurements can give information concerning the presence of gross inhomogeneities in films.
The Vibrio cholerae Porins OmpU and OmpT Have Distinct Channel Properties

Numerous environmental signals regulate the production of virulence factors and the composition of the outer membrane of Vibrio cholerae. In particular, bile promotes the ToxR-dependent expression of the porin OmpU. Strains expressing solely OmpU are more resistant to bile, are better able to colonize the intestine, and produce more cholera toxin than strains expressing solely the OmpT porin. To gain some understanding in the physiological relevance and the molecular mechanism underlying these porin-dependent phenotypes, we have undertaken a thorough electrophysiological characterization of the channel properties of the two porins. Purified OmpU or OmpT was reconstituted in liposomes suitable for patch clamp and in planar lipid bilayers. The high resolution of the patch clamp technique allowed us to analyze in detail the behavior of single OmpU and OmpT channels. Both channels exhibit closing transitions to various conductance states. OmpT is a much more dynamic channel than OmpU, displaying frequent and prolonged closures, even at low transmembrane potentials. With a critical voltage for closure Vc of approximately ±90 mV, OmpT is much more voltage-sensitive than OmpU (with aVc of approximately ±160 mV), a feature that is also readily apparent in the voltage dependence of closing probability observed in patch clamp in the ±100 mV range. OmpT has low ionic selectivity (PK/PCl = ∼4), whereas OmpU is more cation-selective (PK/PCl = ∼14). The distinct functional properties of the two porins are likely to play an integrated role with environmental regulation of their expression. For example, the higher selectivity of OmpU for cations provides a possible explanation for the protective role played by this porin in a bile-containing environment, because this type of selectivity would restrict the flux of anionic bile salts through the outer membrane and thus would reduce the exposure of the cytoplasmic membrane to this natural detergent.
The Increasing Complexity of the Cancer Stem Cell Paradigm

The investigation and study of cancer stem cells (CSCs) have received enormous attention over the past 5 to 10 years but remain topics of considerable controversy. Opinions about the validity of the CSC hypothesis, the biological properties of CSCs, and the relevance of CSCs to cancer therapy differ widely. In the following commentary, we discuss the nature of the debate, the parameters by which CSCs can or cannot be defined, and the identification of new potential therapeutic targets elucidated by considering cancer as a problem in stem cell biology.
Revision of facial scars with geometric broken line closure

Secondary revision of a facial scar remains a challenging endeavor for surgeons who undertake such treatment. Even though esthetic landmarks, antitension lines, meticulous closure, and prolonged splinting are taken into consideration, the scar never completely disappears. Therefore, the goal is secondary revision of a facial scar is to make it as inconspicuous as possible. The geometric broken line closure is a technique that greatly facilitates achievement of this goal.
Mothers' Health Awareness and Its Impact on Children's Dairy Product Intakes

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of mothers' awareness of diet and disease relationships on children's dairy product consumption. Using data from the 1994–1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals and the 1994–1996 Diet and Health Knowledge Survey implemented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the study compared the difference in children's low-fat milk and whole milk consumption in terms of the role of mothers' health awareness. The analysis also considered mothers' health characteristics and sociodemographic characteristics such as mothers' education level and household income. The results suggested that mothers' awareness of diet and health relationships increased their teen children's dairy consumption, although mothers' health awareness did not affect dairy product consumption for preschool children and primary school children.
Selective Activation of the K+ATP Channel Is a Mechanism by Which Sudden Death Is Produced by Low-Energy Chest-Wall Impact (Commotio Cordis)

Background—Sudden death due to relatively innocent chest-wall impact has been described in young individuals (commotio cordis). In our previously reported swine model of commotio cordis, ventricular fibrillation (with T-wave strikes) and ST-segment elevation (with QRS strikes) were produced by 30-mph baseball impacts to the precordium. Because activation of the K+ATP channel has been implicated in the pathogenesis of ST elevation and ventricular fibrillation in myocardial ischemia, we hypothesized that this channel could be responsible for the electrophysiologic findings in our experimental model and in victims of commotio cordis. Methods and Results—In the initial experiment, 6 juvenile swine were given 0.5 mg/kg IV glibenclamide, a selective inhibitor of the K+ATP channel, and chest impact was given on the QRS. The results of these strikes were compared with animals in which no glibenclamide was given. In the second phase, 20 swine were randomized to receive glibenclamide or a control vehicle (in a doub...
Effect of penicillin on the cell wall of Bacillus subtilis.

Abstract Exposure of growing Bacillus subtilis cultures to penicillin has no observable effect on the nitrogen and phosphorus content of the whole cells and only a small effect on the nitrogen and phosphorus content of the cell-wall fraction. Muramic acid, glucosamine, alanine, glutamic acid, diaminopimelic acid and ammonia are the major nitrogenous components of B. subtilis cell walls, accounting for nearly all of the cell-wall nitrogen and amounting to 52% of the cell-wall mass. Incorporation of carbon from 14 C-labelled sugar in the medium into cell constituents was studied. Incorporation into whole cells was inhibited 20% and incorporation into cell walls was inhibited 88%. Incorporation into cell protein was not inhibited. The specific activity of various cell-wall components showed that penicillin inhibited incorporation of muramic and diaminopimelic acids into cell wall more completely than incorporation of other cell-wall components.
Learning signal processing using interactive notebooks

Signal processing is now being used in many disciplines of engineering because of the omnipresence of desktop computers and sophisticated application environments. Many concepts involved in signal processing are difficult to learn because: they are embedded in discrete mathematics and not easy to visualize; and the background in which to embed the learning is lacking. This usually leads to erroneous implementation of a technique and difficulty in finding relevance of the material. In order to address these issues and teaching techniques such as frequency analysis and signal modeling, a series of interactive notebooks have been developed. These notebooks are written in the integrated environment of Microsoft Word and MATLAB. Each notebook presents a principle and demonstrates its implementation via script in MATLAB. The student is then asked to exercise other aspects of the principle interactively by making simple changes in the MATLAB script. The student then receives immediate feedback concerning what is happening and can relate theoretical concepts to real effects upon a signal. He is finally required to implement the learned procedure on a signal from a database of actual measurements. Signals measured from real-world applications are used as much as possible. Students enjoy learning in this environment because it helps them visualize immediately the results of the mathematical manipulations and enables them to explore interactively.
A programming process study

A programming Site Study group was convened to look at the work of eight large-system programming development locations within IBM and to evaluate them according to a set of process stages. Eleven attributes were applied to each process stage. The process of the Site Studies is directly transferable to software evaluations on any project in the software industry, and it is believed that the studies are the first step necessary in the evolution of a consistently repeatable and dynamically controllable process of improvement within the industry. The phases of these studies and implementation of the studies are described.
Antagonism of cyanide toxicity by isosorbide dinitrate: possible role of nitric oxide.

In a search for improved cyanide antidotes, the efficacy of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN), was compared with that of the known cyanide antidote, NaNO2. ISDN was as effective as an optimal dose of NaNO2 in protecting mice against cyanide lethality. To study the mechanism involved, the extent of formation of the cyanide scavenger, methemoglobin, in the action of ISDN was determined. ISDN (300 mg/kg p.o.) increased methemoglobin from 5 to 10% of total hemoglobin, while, in contrast, NaNO2 (100 mg/kg i.p.) increased methemoglobin levels to 50% of total hemoglobin. Lowering the dose of NaNO2 to 30 mg/kg reduced methemoglobin levels to approximately 10% of total hemoglobin and in turn nearly abolished its antidotal effect. Decreasing methemoglobin to less than control levels using methylene blue failed to abolish cyanide antagonism by ISDN. Thus, methemoglobin formation by ISDN does not account for its antidotal action. Further studies comparing the respiratory depressant effects of cyanide in the presence of ISDN or NaNO2 also indicated that these two antidotes have different mechanisms of action. Efforts to produce tolerance to the antidotal effect of ISDN against cyanide toxicity were unsuccessful. It is suggested that the well-known ability of ISDN to generate nitric oxide may account for the noted cyanide antagonism.
Selective transcription factor induction in retinal pigment epithelial cells during photoreceptor phagocytosis.

Expression of early response genes during rod outer segment phagocytosis by normal Long Evans and Royal College of Surgeons-rdy+p+ rats and by dystrophic Royal College of Surgeons-p+ rat retinal pigment epithelial cells was studied in primary cell culture. Northern analysis revealed that the abundance of zif-268 (egr-1), c-fos, and tis-1 (NGF1-B) mRNA was rapidly and transiently increased in normal retinal pigment epithelial cells during rod outer segment phagocytosis but not during phagocytosis of latex particles. No increase in gene expression was found in Royal College of Surgeons-p+ dystrophic retinal pigment epithelial cells challenged with rod outer segments. As shown by electrophoretic mobility shift assay, a prominent short term increase in the intensity of the gel-shifted band was detected using nuclear protein extracts derived from rod outer segment-challenged, control retinal pigment epithelial cells and zif-268, AP-1, AP-2, or tis-1 consensus oligonucleotides. No such increase was detected when using nuclear factor κB consensus oligonucleotide or when the early response gene prostaglandin H synthase-2 mRNA was measured over the time course studied. The results suggest that in retinal pigment epithelial cells, rod outer segment-specific phagocytosis is accompanied by the selective expression of early response genes coding for transcription factors. The specific pattern of the induction of these transcription factors is predicted to modulate the expression of gene cascades.
IDENTIFICATION AND MAPPING OF A PUTATIVE BOMBESIN RECEPTOR GENE ON HUMAN CHROMOSOME 17Q21.3

A mouse bombesin receptor cDNA was used as a probe to screen a human P1 genomic library. Clone HBR1 was isolated and used to localize a putative human bombesin receptor gene (HBRKS) on human chromosome 17q21.3 by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). HBRKS was identified and mapped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification from a Yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) contig spanning 17q21-q23. In addition, a few candidate genes were found by exon-trapping from HBR1.
A high-resolution electrostatic analyzer for accelerator mass spectrometry☆

Abstract Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) has the potential of unparalleled sensitivities for elemental impurity analysis in materials. To fully exploit the capabilities of AMS, a high-resolution electrostatic analyzer (ESA) is shown to be a necessary part of the detection system. An ESA with a resolution of E ΔE > 700 for ions with energies up to E q = 4.8 MeV has been designed and constructed. The system utilizes a 45° deflection in the ion's trajectory with a radius of curvature of 1.2 m. The field is of toroidal geometry, which produces astigmatic focusing of the ion beam, so as to compensate for the lack of vertical focusing in the magnetic spectrometer.
Task- and Subject-Related Differences in Sensorimotor Behavior during Active Touch

Rats explore objects by rhythmically whisking them with their mystacial vibrissae. On two types of tactile discrimination tasks, macrogeometric and microgeometric, better performers palpated the discrimnanda for longer periods of time and used movement patterns that appeared to optimize whisking frequency bandwidth and the extent to which the vibrissae would be bent by object contact. On a task involving finely textured surfaces, good and poor performers differed in the temporal components of their whisking patterns, whereas the spatial domain was more important for animals palpating surfaces with widely separated features. These findings are consistent with increasing neurophysiological evidence that the central representation of the tactile periphery, in rodents and other mammals, is both integrative and dynamic.
Adsorption and Reaction of HfCl4 with H2O-Terminated Si(100)-2 × 1

A combined experimental and density functional theory study has been performed to investigate the bonding arrangements, saturation coverage, and factors that limit the saturation coverage for the a...
Lack of cAMP-response element-binding protein 1 in the hypothalamus causes obesity.

The melanocortin system in the hypothalamus controls food intake and energy expenditure. Its disruption causes severe obesity in mice and humans. cAMP-response element-binding protein 1 (CREB1) has been postulated to play an important role downstream of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R), but this hypothesis has never been confirmed in vivo. To test this, we generated mice that lack CREB1 in SIM1-expressing neurons, of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), which are known to be MC4R-positive. Interestingly, CREB1ΔSIM1 mice developed obesity as a result of decreased energy expenditure and impairment in maintaining their core body temperature and not because of hyperphagia, defining a new role for CREB1 in the PVN. In addition, the lack of CREB1 in the PVN caused a reduction in vasopressin expression but did not affect adrenal or thyroid function. Surprisingly, MC4R function tested pharmacologically was normal in CREB1ΔSIM1 mice, suggesting that CREB1 is not required for intact MC4R signaling. Thus CREB1 may affect other pathways that are implicated in the regulation of body weight.
Expression, Characterization and Inhibition of Toxoplasma gondii 1-Deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate Reductoisomerase

Abstract The apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii , the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, is an important human pathogen. 1-Deoxy- d -xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR) in the non-mevalonate isoprene biosynthesis pathway is essential to the organism and therefore a target for developing anti-toxoplasmosis drugs. In order to find potent inhibitors, we expressed and purified recombinant T. gondii DXR ( Tg DXR). Biochemical properties of this enzyme were characterized and an enzyme activity/inhibition assay was developed. A collection of 11 compounds with a broad structural diversity were tested against Tg DXR and several potent inhibitors were identified with K i values as low as 48 nM. Analysis of the results as well as those of Escherichia coli and Plasmodium falciparum DXR enzymes revealed a different structure–activity relationship profile for the inhibition of Tg DXR.
Deposition of playa windblown dust over geologic time scales

Thick eolian deposits are commonly observed beneath desert pavements downwind of dust-emitting playas. These deposits play an important role in piedmont-surface evolution, controlling surface hydrologic conductivity and rates of pedogenesis. To better understand the factors controlling the spatial distribution of eolian deposition, we developed a numerical model that treats deposition from spatially distributed playa sources using analytic point-source solutions for deposition from a Gaussian plume. The model also accounts for complex downwind topography. As a test case, model predictions were compared to eolian deposit thicknesses on Eagle Mountain piedmont, southern Amargosa Valley, California, which receives dust from nearby Franklin Lake playa. The close relationship between the model predictions and mapped thicknesses suggests that eolian transport and deposition can be modeled from basin to regional scales within this framework. These results have important implications for hydrologic, pedogenic, and air-quality problems.
The Effect of Recovery Locus Attributions and Service Failure Severity on Word-of-Mouth and Repurchase Behaviors in the Hospitality Industry

Based on a survey of 377 American hospitality customers, this study examines the effect of recovery locus attributions and service failure severity on customer word-of-mouth and repurchase behavior...
Evaluation of Antimicrobial Agents in the Rabbit Model of Endocarditis

erythrocytes, and platelets that adhere to the endothelial surface. These elements form a nidus where a pathogen, when introduced by injection, lodges, multiplies, and develops vegetations typical of infective endocarditis. In the rabbit model, endocarditis induced by Staphylococcus aureus or viridans group Streptococcus resembles the human disease in clinical and bacteriologic features and in response to antimicrobial therapy. The rabbit model thus affords a means of evaluating the therapy of endocarditis. The end points of therapeutic response are culture-negative vegetations and failure to relapse. On the basis of these criteria, vancomycin was found to be more rapidly effective in curing an infection caused by a single strain of S. aureus than penicillin or cefazolin and as effective as a combination of penicillin and gentamicin. Although the dog model, as developed by Walker and Hamburger [1], has been useful in various studies of experimental endocarditis, it has not been convenient for comparative evaluation of therapeutic agents. Early attempts to develop a model in the rabbit, without disruption of normal hemodynamics, immunologic mechanisms, or endocrine functions, met with little success. The endocardium in a normal rabbit appeared to be extremely resistant to bacterial colonization; injections of relatively large numbers of organisms seldom resulted in endocarditis. This situation prevailed until Garrison and Freedman [2], who were studying catheter-induced phlebitis in the rabbit, noted the occurrence of bacterial endocarditis in some of their experimental animals. The procedure that had led to endocarditis was, apparently, the placement of a polyethylene catheter across the tricuspid valve into the heart. This hypothesis was tested by placement of a polyethylene catheter filled with a broth culture (105 cfu/ml) of Staphylococcus aureus into the right side of the heart. Virtually all rabbits treated in this fashion developed endocarditis; the animals had positive blood cultures and high bacterial counts in vegetations. In contrast, none of the animals in the control group, even though they had received more concentrated suspensions (107 cfu/ml) of S. aureus by
Large lipoproteins are excluded from the arterial wall in diabetic cholesterol-fed rabbits

In diabetic hypercholesterolemic rabbits at plasma triglyceride concentrations of approximately 5000 mg/dl, 55% of plasma cholesterol (1400 mg/dl) was in lipoproteins with diameters larger than 75 nm (Sf greater than 400), 40% in smaller very low density and intermediate density lipoproteins, 4% in low density lipoproteins, and 1% in high density lipoproteins. Specific intimal clearance (nl/h.mg aortic cholesterol) of the giant Sf greater than 400 lipoproteins was about 4% of that of the low density lipoproteins. The data suggest that even very low density lipoproteins with diameters smaller than 75 nm were practically excluded from entering the arterial wall. Specific intimal clearance of low density lipoproteins in hypertriglyceridemic, diabetic cholesterol-fed rabbits was similar to that in normal cholesterol-fed rabbits, but low density lipoprotein concentrations in diabetic rabbits were low. Thus, at plasma triglyceride concentrations of approximately 5000 mg/dl, only 5% of plasma cholesterol may be readily available for infiltration of arteries. These results add further support to the hypothesis that hypertriglyceridemic, diabetic cholesterol-fed rabbits are protected against atherogenesis because the major part of plasma cholesterol is carried in large lipoproteins to which the artery is not very permeable.
Performance of Typical Children on the Sensory Profile: An Item Analysis

Objectives The purpose of this study was to obtain data about typical children on the 99-item Sensory Profile, a newly developed tool derived from sensory history items reported in the literature and designed to assess children's responses to commonly occurring sensory events. Method Parents of 64 typical children 3 to 10 years of age completed the Sensory Profile; parents used a five-point Likert scale to report the percentage of time their children engaged in each behavior. Researchers then analyzed these percentages to determine differences by age and gender. Results Sixty-seven of the items on the Sensory Profile were found to be uncommon for these typical children. On further analysis with a multivariate analysis of variance and appropriate follow-up procedures, one item was more common for younger children, and four items were more common for girls. Conclusion Two thirds of the items on the Sensory Profile were uncommon for typical children and thus may contribute useful information about children with disabilities who respond to these sensory events.
Behavior of cohesive powders in narrow-diameter fluidized beds

Abstract The behavior of cohesive powders in a narrow-diameter fluidized bed is investigated in this paper. Three powders of a polymeric material ranging in particle size from 12.2 to 19.4 μm were used. The fine powder (12.2 μm) displays Type C behavior. Large interparticle forces lead to cracking and channeling and the powder does not fluidize consistently over time. Increasing the particle size changes bed behavior from Type C to Type AC. For both the medium (14.9 μm) and coarse (19.4 μm) powders, the bed profile consists of a defluidized region with cracks/channels near the distributor followed by a bubbling region. Bubbles promote mixing and lead to sustained fluidization. No distinct minimum fluidization velocity is observed. Reproducibility of bed pressure drop measurements is linked to the variations in the length and the structure of the defluidized region.
Why would social networks be linked to affect and health practices

Objective: To examine the relation among social integration (SI), affect, and smoking and alcohol consumption. Design: The authors administered social network and psychological questionnaires to 193 adults and then interviewed them on 14 consecutive evenings about their daily social interactions, affect, and smoking and alcohol consumption. Main outcome measures: The main outcome measures were positive and negative affect, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Results: Between-subjects analyses found that those with more diverse social networks (high in SI) interacted with more people and smoked and drank less. SI was not, however, associated with affect. In contrast, within-subject analyses found that the more people participants interacted with during a day, the greater their positive affect, drinking, and smoking on that day. However, this occurred primarily for persons low in SI. High-SI persons reported high positive affect irrespective of the number of people with whom they interacted, and their smoking and drinking behaviors were less influenced by number of interactants. Conclusion: SI may alter health because it affects responsiveness to the social influences of others.
A novel intelligent control laboratory for undergraduate students in engineering

In this paper, the development of an interdisciplinary intelligent control laboratory is presented. The main objective of the laboratory is to substantially improve the instructional capability of undergraduate instructions in intelligent systems analysis and design. The project addresses simple, robust and effective implementations of soft computing techniques for several educational and industrial applications including: servo systems, heat trainers, inverse pendulums, twin rotor systems and visual component inspection stations. The development is carried out through the adaptation of innovative industrial design techniques, incorporation of real-time sensory interfacing and other applicable industrial advances, which have already been utilized in several manufacturing industries. The implementation of an undergraduate intelligent system laboratory can serve as a model for other institutions in the nation.
The bone anabolic carotenoid p-hydroxycinnamic acid promotes osteoblast mineralization and suppresses osteoclast differentiation by antagonizing NF-κB activation

Numerous plant derived nutritional factors including p-hydroxycinnamic acid (HCA), a member of the carotenoid family, have long been held to possess bone protective properties. Studies in animals have provided a mechanistic basis for these observations by demonstrating the capacity of HCA to promote bone formation and suppress bone resorption in vivo. However, the molecular mechanism by which HCA achieves these effects remains unclear. We have demonstrated that a centralized mechanism by which several other nutritional factors achieve similar effects is through modulation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signal transduction pathway. NF-κB activation is essential for osteoclast formation and resorption but potently antagonizes osteoblast differentiation and mineralization. In this study we demonstrate that HCA does indeed antagonize the activation of NF-κB by the key osteoclastogenic cytokine receptor activator of NF-κB (RANKL) in RAW264.7 osteoclast precursors, suppressing their differentiation into osteoclasts. Furthermore, HCA augmented the in vitro differentiation of MC3T3 preosteoblastic cells into mineralizing osteoblasts and relieved the inhibitory action of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced NF-κB signaling on transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)- or bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2)-induced Smad activation, an important pathway in osteoblast commitment and differentiation. Our data provide a mechanism to explain the dual pro-anabolic and anti-catabolic activities of HCA.
"Going Public": Accessing Data, Contesting Information Blockades

Among prison scholars it is well known that access to penal institutions for the purposes of conducting research is not a given. For instance, in the Canadian context, some social researchers have been effectively barred from conducting studies inside prisons or have had to modify their research designs in order to enter the carceral. The ability to obtain unpublished records on imprisonment policies and practices in Canada has also been cited as a cumbersome process that often results in non-disclosure of the documents sought.Beyond data collection, social researchers have also raised concerns about the challenges of communicating their findings to publics outside the academy. In criminology, in particular, scholars have been concerned with the perceived lack of influence academic work has had on public policy and public opinion. These interventions, while not novel, have resulted in calls for a public criminology, renewing a discussion on how to disseminate research to non-academic audiences.Although much of the access to information literature is focused on the techniques used to obtain data as well as the barriers encountered during the process, and the public criminology literature is centred principally around the question of how to reach and influence those outside the halls of the university, few have examined how data collection and dissemination activities shape subsequent information flows. Here, I am not referring to the moments when and sites where the “policing of criminological knowledge” occur that mediate access to data sources and diffusion opportunities based on the epistemological orientations and political agendas of gatekeepers.
Over-distention operation of cascaded multilevel inverters

Established research has shown that cascaded multilevel inverters can provide more voltage vectors per number of active semiconductors compared to typical multilevel converters. This feature is significant for increasing the drive performance as well as reducing the drive complexity and losses. When two inverters are cascaded, the maximum number of effective levels (or maximal distention operation) is the product of the number of levels of the individual inverters. It is possible to operate the cascaded inverter beyond maximum distention. The over-distention operation is desirable since it effectively increases the number of voltage levels in spite of some missing switching levels. This paper studies over-distention operation based on an inverter system where two three-level inverters are cascaded, which can generate eleven equivalent converting levels instead of nine levels under maximal distention condition. An advanced modulation technique is introduced to handle both the missing line-to-ground voltage levels and the balance of DC link capacitor voltages in over-distention operation. Computer simulation and experimental validation are presented to verify the proposed methods.
G460(P) Neurocognitive deficits and comorbidities in neurofibromatosis1 – experience from a tertiary service

Aims Neurofibromatosis type 1(NF1) is a common genetic condition with multisystem involvement. Clinical presentation of this condition can be varied, requiring clinicians to be aware of associated comorbidities and complications. We relate our experience of children seen within a tertiary centre. Methods We analysed 100 consecutive patients with an established diagnosis of NF1 seen in a tertiary NF1 clinic. Records of patients were reviewed to determine clinical presentation and associated range of comorbidities. Results Of the 100 patients (M:F = 55:45; median age 11.6 years (range 9 months–21 years)), 57 had at least one neurodevelopmental concern ranging from Learning difficulties 32%, specific learning difficulties 2%, social communication difficulties including ASD in 12%, attention difficulties including ADHD 18%, significant behavioural difficulties 11%, coordination difficulties 8%, sleep problems 13%, anxiety and low self esteem 3%, epilepsy in 4%. Majority of these children were in mainstream schools, so appropriate support would need to be provided for. 7/100(7%) of patients developed intracranial tumours, 14% optic pathway gliomas, 8 had non–tumour cranial abnormality identified on imaging. 10 children required neurosurgical intervention. 30% of children developed scoliosis, 5/30 required surgical fixation. 4 children had pseudoarthrosis, including a late presentation at 10 years. 17% had refractory errors. 14% of children underwent investigations for poor growth, 2 required hormone replacement therapy. 6 patients underwent investigations for concerns relating to puberty (2 precocious puberty, 2 premature adrenarche, 2 delayed puberty). 3 patients were on treatment for hypertension (Renal artery stenosis 2, essential hypertension 1). Plexiform neurofibromas, which can cause pain and affect cosmetic appearance, were present in 27/100 patients (9 required surgery). Conclusions Under recognition of associated neurocognitive deficits and neuropsychiatric conditions in children with a diagnosis on NF1, can have significant impact on their educational outcome. The varied spectrum of clinical presentation warrants a comprehensive assessment for this group of patients. Establishing networks between local services and specialist centres will assist in early identification and management of Neurofibromatosis1 related complications.
Supplemental Ultrasonic Code Inspection of Structural Weldments

This work addressed two issues pertaining to the ultrasonic inspection of steel-moment-frame buildings that may have suffered damage as a result of the 1994 Northridge earthquake ground motion. These were: (1) Are the AWS D1.1 Code procedures reliable enough to detect flaws in the structural weldments of interest? and (2) Are there alternative Code-supplemental procedures that can be applied manually for not only improved flaw detection, but also flaw location, classification, and sizing? Twelve mock-up specimens containing a total of 17 intentional worst-case-scenario flaws in representative beam-to-column weld geometries were fabricated. The Code-based detection results were marred by four misses and more than ten false alarms. In contrast, use of Code-supplemental procedures assured that no intentional test flaws were missed and false alarms were kept to a minimum. Only the Code-supplemental advanced procedures were used to characterize (as to type, location, orientation, depth, and length) a detected test flaw. In 95% of the measurements, the XYZ flaw location, length, and depth estimated were within 5 mm (0.2 in.) of the intended values.
Learning Markov logic network structure via hypergraph lifting

Markov logic networks (MLNs) combine logic and probability by attaching weights to first-order clauses, and viewing these as templates for features of Markov networks. Learning MLN structure from a relational database involves learning the clauses and weights. The state-of-the-art MLN structure learners all involve some element of greedily generating candidate clauses, and are susceptible to local optima. To address this problem, we present an approach that directly utilizes the data in constructing candidates. A relational database can be viewed as a hypergraph with constants as nodes and relations as hyperedges. We find paths of true ground atoms in the hypergraph that are connected via their arguments. To make this tractable (there are exponentially many paths in the hypergraph), we lift the hypergraph by jointly clustering the constants to form higherlevel concepts, and find paths in it. We variabilize the ground atoms in each path, and use them to form clauses, which are evaluated using a pseudo-likelihood measure. In our experiments on three real-world datasets, we find that our algorithm outperforms the state-of-the-art approaches.
NMR 1H relaxation and NOESY studies of spiperone conformational features in solution

The high-field 1 H, 19 F and 13 C NMR spectra of spiperone in CDCl 3 solution mere analyzed with the aid of homonuclear (H-H-COSY) and heteronuclear (H,C-COSY) chemical shift correlation experiments. Multiple through-space intersections were identified using phase-sensitive nuclear Overhauser and exchange spectroscopy (NOESY). Proton relaxation rates and activation energies mere determined over the temperature range -60 to 50 o C. The chemical shift, NOESY and proton relaxation rate results support the formation of cyclic dimers and multiple spiperone conformations in solution