cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Project-Oriented Pedagogical Model for Construction Engineering Education Using Cyberinfrastructure Tools

AbstractVirtual interactive construction education (VICE) is a project-based pedagogical model that uses cyberinfrastructure tools to transform traditional subject-based lectures into project-based virtual interactive simulations. This research measured level of engagement and perceived construction content knowledge gained when exposed to VICE. A case study evaluation design utilized a mixed methodology of both quantitative and qualitative methods. Content knowledge was measured with a retrospective presurvey and postsurvey using 40 high school juniors and seniors with no construction education and 12 college-level construction students. The self-reported level of engagement showed participants to be mildly to very engaged. The perceived increase in construction content knowledge was significant for the high school students for all six subject areas and was significant in four subject areas for the college students. While significantly more research is needed to measure the actual gain in construction kn...
Structure of a clade C HIV-1 gp120 bound to CD4 and CD4-induced antibody reveals anti-CD4 polyreactivity

Strategies to combat HIV-1 require structural knowledge of envelope proteins from clade C viruses, the most common in the world. We present the first crystal structure containing a clade C gp120 envelope. The structure, a complex between gp120, the host receptor CD4, and the CD4-induced antibody 21c, reveals that the 21c epitope involves contacts with gp120, a non-self antigen, and with CD4, an auto-antigen. Binding studies using wild-type and mutant CD4 showed that 21c Fab binds CD4 in the absence of gp120, and that binding of 21c to clade C and HIV-2 gp120s requires the crystallographically-observed 21c-CD4 interaction. Additional binding data suggested a role for the gp120 V1V2 loop in creating a high-affinity, but slow-forming, epitope for 21c after CD4 binds. This study represents the first visualization of a potentially autoreactive antibody Fab complexed with both self and non-self antigens.
The effect of host plant phenology on reproduction of the milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus, in tropical Florida

A field study of the relationship between host plant phenology and the reproductive pattern of the large milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus, was conducted in south Florida. Since O. fasciatus need seeds of either milkweed or Nerium oleander plants to reproduce, reproduction takes place on only those host plants that are producing seed pods. Two of four major host plants, Asclepias incarnata and Sarcostemma clausa fruit seasonally, producing pods in early autumn and early winter, respectively. The third milkweed host, Asclepias curassavica, produces almost no pods midsummer (although it flowers abundantly) and few pods midwinter. Nerium oleander (Apocynaceae) produces some pods all year but is only used by O. fasciatus in the summer when milkweeds are not producing pods. Correspondingly, reproduction of O. fasciatus has been observed year round, but relatively few females reproduce in midwinter, coinciding with decreased pod production and low temperatures. This pattern is consistent with the hypothesis that a photoperiodic cue of short day lengths under conditions of cool temperatures may cause adult females to enter diapause and delay reproduction in the field. A comparison of plant phenologies and rainfall between 1976, a very dry year, and 1978, a year with normal rainfall, showed that extreme dryness disrupted the seasonal fruiting of the milkweeds and consequently the reproduction of O. fasciatus.
An analytical theory for the orbit of nereid

A complete analytical dynamic theory for the motion of Nereid has been constructed, accurate to approximately 0.01 arc second over several hundred years. The solution uses the Lie transform approach advanced by Deprit and is consistent with respect to the magnitudes of the disturbing functions, including all perturbations to an accuracy of 10−8 relative to the two-body potential (oblateness and third-body). Multiple short-period variables in the third-body perturbations are related via the ratio of their mean motions, reducing the number of independent variables. Extensive use is made of expansions giving trigonometric functions of the true anomaly as analytical Fourier series in the mean anomaly. Initial constants and mass parameters come from the data obtained during the Voyager II encounter with Neptune in 1989.
THE EXPANSION OF THE CHINESE URBAN SYSTEM, 1953–1990

The number of Chinese cities (based on the current official definition) increased by 326 between 1953 and 1990, although the growth trend fluctuated over time. The number, size, distribution, and functions of the new cities as well as the pace and rationale of city establishment are studied, and the ever-changing Chinese definitions of the city and urban population are clarified. Urban growth, which has been affected by changing policies, politics, and recent economic reforms, is analyzed in four periods. New cities are either small or medium in size. The annual averages of new city establishment varied from one to four between 1953 and 1977 to more than 20 after 1978. Cities established before 1978 mostly are centers of industry, trade, and transportation, and those established after 1978 are mostly administrative centers. Lastly, the process of Chinese urbanization is analyzed.
Pseudallescheria boydii endocarditis of the pulmonic valve in a liver transplant recipient

We describe a case of Pseudallescheria boydii endocarditis involving the pulmonic valve in an orthotopic liver transplant recipient. The patient required transplantation because of hepatic failure secondary to chronic active hepatitis B. His postoperative course was complicated by surgery for gastric and duodenal ulcers, persistent fever, and, ultimately, sepsis leading to oliguric renal failure. Two days before death, the patient experienced complete heart block, and an echocardiogram revealed pulmonic valve thickening and an endocardial mass along the left side of the septum. At autopsy the patient was found to have a vegetation on the pulmonic valve and a septal abscess. There were multiple fungal emboli found throughout other organs, and P. boydii was obtained on culture. This unique association between pulmonic valve endocarditis and myocardial septal abscess is discussed. In addition, review of the five previous cases of P. boydii endocarditis reveals that this rare infection is associated with immunosuppression and prosthetic devices.
“This Shouldn't Happen Here”: Sandy Hook, Race, and the Pedagogy of Normalcy

On December 14, 2012, the nation was captivated by a tragic shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. Adam Lanza, a 20-year-old White male with a history of mental illness, entered the Sandy Hook Elementar...
Dual Grinding and X-Ray Analysis of All Major Oxides in Rocks to Obtain True Composition

Contamination introduced by grinding methods is determined quantitatively with high precision and accuracy by the x-ray spectrographic analysis of all major oxides in rocks. This is done by performing two complete analyses of rock powders of identical origin but ground by different grinding media. Original composition of uncrushed rock is computed on the basis of these two analyses. This method is feasible because of the speed of the x-ray analysis. It is accurate because the same matrix with only slight compositional changes due to contamination is used. Data are given on six volcanic rocks analyzed for Si, Al, Ti, Fe, Mn, Mg, Ca, K, and Na.
Indirect detection of NMR via geometry-dependent dipolar fields, revisited

Abstract We explore the dipolar interactions between two separate nuclear spin ensembles in a mixture containing oil and water. Here we expand initial results [C.A. Meriles, W. Dong, J. Magn. Reson. 181 (2006) 331.] to the case in which both systems have the shape of flat, stacked disks. We find that—in spite of the strong inhomogeneity of the coupling dipolar field—the signal encoded in one of the components can be made approximately proportional to the magnetization in the other. This allows us to use one of these systems as a ‘sensor’ to indirectly reconstruct the resonance spectrum or to determine the relaxation time of the ‘sample’ system. In the regime in which dipolar interactions are sufficiently strong, our method can be set to scale-up weaker signals in a non-linear fashion, which, potentially, could allow one to introduce contrast or to improve detection sensitivity of less magnetized samples.
Mitogenic and Metabolic Effects of Type I IGF Receptor Overexpression in Insulin Receptor-Deficient Hepatocytes

We have previously shown that hepatocytes lacking insulin receptors (Ir−/−) fail to mediate metabolic responses, such as stimulation of glycogen synthesis, while retaining the ability to proliferate in response to IGFs. In this study we have asked whether overexpression of type I IGF receptors would rescue the metabolic response of Ir−/− hepatocytes. After IGF-I stimulation, insulin receptor substrate-1 and -2 phosphorylation and PI3K activity were restored to levels similar to or greater than those seen in wild-type cells. Rates of cell proliferation in response to IGF-I increased approximately 2-fold, whereas glycogen synthesis was restored to wild-type levels, but was comparatively smaller than that elicited by overexpression of insulin receptors. In summary, overexpression of IGF-I receptors in Ir−/− hepatocytes normalized insulin receptor substrate-2 phosphorylation and glycogen synthesis to wild-type levels, whereas it increased cell proliferation above wild-type levels. Moreover, stimulation of gly...
Lipid Synthesis in Lactation: Diet and the Fatty Acid Switch

The lipid component of milk provides the critical nutritional source for generating both energy and essential nutrients to the growth of the newborn. Three types of substrate are utilized to synthesize milk triacylglycerides (TAG): dietary fat, fatty acids mobilized from adipose tissue stores, and lipids synthesized de novo synthesis from glucose and other dietary precursors, a process often referred to as de novo lipogenesis. The utilization of these various sources for TAG synthesis by the mammary epithelial cells is influenced by both the stage of lactation and the diet. From studies of gene expression in FVB mice, we observed that genes for β-oxidation of fatty acids are downregulated along with the expression of Acyl-CoA thioesterase 1 (ACOT1). As a control mechanism we propose that during pregnancy ACOT1 provides a supply of cytoplasmic free fatty acids which increase the activation of PPARγ. Ligand-induced activation of the PPAR/RXR transcription factor complex by free fatty acids, upregulates expression of genes required for β-oxidation of fatty acids. The fall in ACOTs at secretory activation may facilitate the switch to lipogenesis perhaps mediated by activation of the LXR/RXR transcription factor complex. The response to changes in the supply of dietary lipids, on the other hand, is likely to be mediated by SREBP1, possibly acting through modulation of Spot 14. Stability of SREBP1 may be enhanced by a significant increase in Akt at secretory activation. These regulatory pathways may be critical to the production of milk with a balanced TAG composition to support neonatal development of the newborn.
Simultaneous Statistical Tests on Categorical Data

THE QUESTION Data collected for. purposes of education re search frequently are of the categorical type to which may be applied the classical tests for in dependence in contingency tables or tests for good ness-of-fit of empirical to hypothetical frequency distributions. It is not uncommon, for example, that a number of respondents answer avariety of questions on a given questionnaire which then is sum marized by way of a number of two-way contingency tables of interest to the investigation. The problem which arises in this context is the following. Gen erally the several resulting test statistics will be correlated because the same respondents are in volved. As a consequence, the conclusions reached upon performing one statistical test may depend on those obtained through another test. Thus it is mis leading to compare each test statistic separately in the usual manner with a critical point from the Chi square (x2) distribution which would be appropriate if the hypotheses could be tested independently. Re fer to Miller [ 3] for a general discussion.
Instability indices for matrix polynomials

Abstract There is a well-established instability index theory for linear and quadratic matrix polynomials for which the coefficient matrices are Hermitian and skew-Hermitian. This theory relates the number of negative directions for the matrix coefficients which are Hermitian to the total number of unstable eigenvalues for the polynomial. Herein we extend the theory to ⋆-even matrix polynomials of any finite degree. In particular, unlike previously known cases we show that the instability index depends upon the size of the matrices when the degree of the polynomial is greater than two. We also consider Hermitian matrix polynomials, and derive an index which counts the number of eigenvalues with nonpositive imaginary part. The results are refined if we consider the Hermitian matrix polynomial to be a perturbation of a ⋆-even polynomials; however, this refinement requires additional assumptions on the matrix coefficients.
TRACE METALS IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS

Serum zinc and copper concentration, 24 hrs urinary zinc and copper excretion, plasma selenium and red blood cell glutathione peroxidase activity were measured in 13 cystic fibrosis patients aged 6 to 15 years. The mean serum zinc value +/- S.D. (17.3 mumol/l +/- 4.6) did not differ from that of the control group (17.9 mumol/l +/- 3.1). Urinary zinc excretion in 12 out of 13 patients was within the normal range (1.53-13.8 mumol/24 hrs). The mean serum copper +/- S.D. (23.8 mumol/l +/- 4.2) was not significantly elevated as compared to the value found in the control group (19.2 mumol/l +/- 3.5), but 4 children, including 1 with documented portal hypertension, showed an urinary copper excretion greater than 0.94 mumol/24 hrs (normal: 0.16-0.80 mumol/24 hrs). Mean plasma selenium +/- S.D. (0.84 mumol/l +/- 0.25) was significantly reduced as compared to the control group (1.0 mumol/l +/- 0.15) (p less than 0.05). The correlation between selenium concentration and RBC glutathione peroxidase activity was significant (p less than 0.01). A negative correlation was also found between plasma selenium and 24 hrs faecal fat excretion (p less than 0.05). It is concluded that CF children with severe dysfunction of the exocrine pancreas are at increased risk to develop symptoms of subclinical or manifest zinc and/or selenium deficiency. Appropriate supplementation should therefore systematically be considered.
Crystals and quasicrystals in the aluminum-transition metal system

Abstract Inspection of known Al-TM alloy phase diagrams and structures suggests the ideal composition and structure of the icosahedral quasicrystal phase. The phases α(AlMnSi) and α(AlFeSi) can be decomposed into packings of rhombohedra identical to those in the 3D (icosahedral) Penrose tiling, and Al 13 Fe 4 can similarly be related to the 2D Penrose tiling. Other large-cell phases can be generated by a modification of the projection method of generating Penrose tilings.
MIXED DISTRIBUTIONS IN SATTOLO'S ALGORITHM FOR CYCLIC PERMUTATIONS VIA RANDOMIZATION AND DERANDOMIZATION

We investigate the limit distributions associated with cost measures in Sattolo's algorithm for generating random cyclic permutations. The number of moves made by an element turns out to be a mixture of I and 1 plus a geometric distribution with parameter ', where the mixing probability is the limiting ratio of the rank of the element being moved to the size of the permutation. On the other hand, the raw distance traveled by an element to its final destination does not converge in distribution without norming. Linearly scaled, the distance converges to a mixture of a uniform and a shifted product of a pair of independent uniforms. The results are obtained via randomization as a transform, followed by derandomization as an inverse transform. The work extends analysis by
Aerobic waste activated sludge (WAS) for start-up seed of mesophilic and thermophilic anaerobic digestion.

Since there are very limited numbers of thermophilic anaerobic digesters being operated, it is often difficult to start up a new one using sludge from an existing reactor as a seed. However, for obvious reasons it seems few attempts have been made to compare the start-up performance of thermophilic anaerobic digestion using different sources of seed sludges. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the start-up performance of anaerobic digestion using aerobic waste activated sludge (WAS) from a plant which has no anaerobic digesters and mesophilic anaerobic digested sludge (ADS) as the seed source at both mesophilic (351C) and thermophilic (551C) temperatures. In this study, two experiments were conducted. First, thermophilic anaerobic reactors were seeded with WAS (VSS=4400 mg/L) and ADS (VSS=14,500 mg/L) to investigate start-up performance with a feed of acetate as well as propionate. The results show that WAS started to produce CH4 soon after acetate feeding without a lag time, while ADS had a lag time of 10 days. When the feed was changed to propionate, WAS removed propionate down to below the detection limit of 10 mg/ L, while ADS removed little propionate and produced little CH4. Second, in order to further compare the methanogenic activity of WAS and ADS, both mesophilic and thermophilic reactors were operated. WAS acclimated to anaerobic conditions shortly (o5 days at both mesophilic and thermophilic) and after acclimating it produced more CH4 per unit amount of seeded VSS than ADS. WAS at mesophilic temperature biodegraded acetate at the same rate as for thermophilic. However WAS at mesophilic temperature biodegraded propionate at a much faster rate than at thermophilic. WAS as the seed source of anaerobic digestion resulted in much better performance than ADS at both mesophilic and thermophilic temperatures for both acetate and propionate metabolism. r 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Synthesis and characterization of a new {RuNO} 6 complex, [Ru(NO)(bpb)Cl] (bpb=N,N¿-bis(2-pyridinecarboxamide)-1,2-benzene dianion)

Abstract As part of our efforts to develop ruthenium nitrosyl compounds for use as nitric oxide delivery agents, a new six coordinate {RuNO} 6 compound, [Ru(NO)(bpb)Cl] (bpb = N , N ′-bis(2-pyridinecarboxamide)-1,2-benzene dianion) was prepared from the reaction between [Ru(NO)Cl(H 2 O) 2 ] and N , N ′-bis(2-pyridine carboxamide)-1,2-benzene. We report here the characterization of this new compound by 1 H, 13 C, HH COSY, HMQC and HMBC NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy ( ν NO = 1867 cm −1 ) and ESI-MS (M + Na + 505.9).
Adaptive feedback linearization of nonlinear MIMO systems using ES-MRAC

We present a novel approach to adaptation of nonlinear multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems, in the existence of parametric uncertainties. We use feedback linearization to provide a stabilizing Model Reference Control (MRC). Next, we estimate the unknown parameters of the system, by optimizing a cost function based on the tracking error from MRC. We use extremum seeking (ES) to optimize the cost function.
A note on the synergism of the central nervous system stimulants

There is an additive synergism between the convulsant effects of the central stimulants Metrazol, Coramine, and strychnine sulfate when tested in rabbits.
Potential and limitations of invariant kernel conformal therapy.

A conformal therapy technique with a complementary inverse treatment planning methodology is described here based on concepts introduced by Brahme et al. (1990). The methodology is based on the use of the three-dimensional fast Fourier transform to convolve an energy deposition kernel with a weighting distribution. Brahme originally considered the energy deposition kernel due to the cylindrically symmetric rotational dose distribution developed by a rotating X-ray pencil beam. Here we compare this type of treatment with a conformal therapy technique based on multiple fixed-gantry-angle noncoplanar fields. Either approach can be planned using a spatially invariant kernel. The kernels are to be convolved with a weighting distribution calculated by a constrained iterative deconvolution procedure.
A proposed structure and active site of angiotensin.

Abstract Need has arisen for reexamination of the structure of the polypeptide hormone, angiotensin, since current knowledge as to the helix forming tendencies of amino acids makes questionable the assumption that the peptide chain will form an α-helix in so far as possible. A quite different structure is proposed in the present study.
Quantum mass effects in diffusion

Abstract The temperature dependence of the ratio of isotope diffusion coefficients is discussed with particular reference to hydrogen in metals.
Developmental changes in gastric fundus smooth muscle contractility and involvement of extracellular calcium in fetal and adult guinea pigs.

ABSTRACT: Delayed gastric emptying is a common problem in preterm infants. The factors underlying this gastroparesis remain unsettled but may involve immaturity of smooth muscle contraction. The present study was designed to test this hypothesis. Muscle strips from the gastric fundus of fetal and adult guinea pigs were studied in vitro for their contractile response to receptor activation (acetylcholine and bethanechol) and membrane depolarization (potassium chloride). The dose-response curves were analyzed for differences in active force development (kg/cm2). The role of extracellular calcium (Ca2+) in the contractile responses was determined by contracting the tissues in a zero-Ca2+ physiologic saline solution and in the presence of nifedipine, a voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel blocker. The results demonstrate the following: 1) tissues from adult animals developed significantly more active force when tested with acetylcholine, bethanechol, and potassium chloride; 2) tissues from the fetal animals were relatively unresponsive to contraction with potassium chloride compared with the adult; and 3) both nifedipine and incubation in a zero-Ca2+ physiologic saline solution had a significantly greater inhibitory effect on the contractions of adult than fetal muscle strips. Our data indicate that smooth muscle in the gastric fundus develops increasing force with maturation. The increased contractility in the adult fundus appears to be due to an increased involvement of extracellular calcium influx, in part through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels.
Modulating substrate specificity of histone acetyltransferase with unnatural amino acids

Controlling the substrate specificity of enzymes is a major challenge for protein engineers. Here we explore the effects of residue-specific incorporation of ortho-, meta- and para-fluorophenylalanine (oFF, mFF, pFF) on the selectivity of human histone acetyltransferase (HAT) protein, p300/CBP associated factor (PCAF). Varying the position of the fluorine group in the phenylalanine ring confers different effects on the ability of PCAF to acetylate target histone H3 as well as non-histone p53. Surprisingly, pFF–PCAF exhibits an increase in activity for non-histone p53, while mFF–PCAF is selective for histone H3. These results suggest that global incorporation of unnatural amino acids may be used to re-engineer protein specificity.
Alcohol criteria endorsement and psychiatric and drug use disorders among DUI offenders: Greater severity among women and multiple offenders

Purpose Data from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA), a high-risk family study of alcohol dependence, were used to examine differences in alcohol diagnostic criteria endorsement and psychiatric and drug use disorders by gender and by number of DUI offenses.
An approximate maximum likelihood estimation for non-Gaussian non-minimum phase moving average processes

Abstract An approximate maximum likelihood procedure is proposed for the estimation of parameters in possibly nonminimum phase (noninvertible) moving average processes driven by independent and identically distributed non-Gaussian noise. Under appropriate conditions, parameter estimates that are solutions of likelihood-like equations are consistent and are asymptotically normal. A simulation study for MA(2) processes illustrates the estimation procedure.
A variation and energy aware ILP formulation for task scheduling in MPSoC

In nanometer-scale process technologies, the effects of process variations are observed in Multiprocessor System-on-Chips (MPSoC) in terms of variations in frequencies and leakage powers among the processors on the same chip as well as across different chips of the same design. Traditional approaches try to improve the worst-case value for energy of a system whereas statistical optimizations are more recently employed to optimize the energy yield under a given energy constraint. In this work, we have formulated statistical optimization by integer linear programming. Our experimental results on E3S benchmark suite show that statistical approach for task scheduling can achieve up to 22% improvement over the conventional approach in terms of energy yield and demonstrate this superiority is improved when the amount of variation increases.
Insulin stimulates Akt translocation to mitochondria: Implications on dysregulation of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in diabetic myocardium

Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation is the major source of energy in cardiac muscle. In the streptozotocin-induced diabetic (STZ-DM) mice, myocardial oxidative phosphorylation was perturbated and oxidative phosphorylation complex V (ATP synthase) activity was significantly reduced. To determine the independent effects of hyperglycemia and insulin deficiency on the changes of myocardial complex V, we used phlorizin (Ph) to normalize blood glucose in the diabetic mice. Ph treatment did not improve myocardial complex V activity in the STZ-DM mice, whereas insulin treatment normalized myocardial complex V activity in the diabetic mice. Therefore, the reduction of complex V activity was caused by insulin deficiency and not by hyperglycemia in STZ-DM myocardium. Acute insulin stimulation induced phosphorylation of Akt and translocation of Akt to mitochondria in myocardium. Translocation of phospho-Akt to mitochondria was enhanced in the STZ-DM mice and was blunted in the diet-induced diabetic mice. In parallel, insulin activation of complex V was enhanced in the STZ-DM myocardium and suppressed in the diet-induced diabetic myocardium. In vivo inhibition of Akt blocked insulin stimulation of phospho-Akt translocation and blunted activation of complex V. Insulin-activated Akt translocation to mitochondria in cardiac muscle is a novel paradigm that may have important implications on myocardial bioenergetics.
The “model minority” and their discontent: Examining peer discrimination and harassment of Chinese American immigrant youth

Using an ecological framework, the authors explore the reasons for peer discrimination and harassment reported by many Chinese American youth. They draw on longitudinal data collected on 120 first- and second-generation Chinese American students from two studies conducted in Boston and New York. Our analyses suggested that reasons for these experiences of harassment lay with the beliefs about academic ability, the students' immigrant status and language barriers, within-group conflicts, and their physical appearance that made them different from other ethnic minority or majority students. Implications and future research are also discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Insecticidal activity of recent bacterial isolates and their toxins against mosquito larvae.

ALTHOUGH Bacillus thuringiensis is proving to be a useful pathogen against insect pests of field crops1–3, there has been no equivalent bacterium that might be used in the control of insects, such as mosquitoes, that carry disease. Since 1966, however, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been seeking such a bacterium. Field workers in various parts of the world collect infected insects4 and send them to an International Reference Center (IRC) at Ohio State University. Here the causative agent of infection is investigated and material is distributed for research on potential control organisms. I have examined bacteria isolated from infected larval mosquitoes collected in Delhi, India (accession WHO/ IRC No. 1321); those of the Bacillus sphaericus group had higher insecticidal activity than previously reported5, and those of the Bacillus alvei-circulans group had never before been implicated in disease of mosquito larvae. Either or both may eventually be useful in the biological control of mosquitoes.
Pioglitazone improves insulin action and normalizes menstrual cycles in a majority of prenatally androgenized female rhesus monkeys.

Abstract Purpose of the study To determine whether pioglitazone will improve menstrual cyclicity in a fetal programming model for polycystic ovary syndrome. Basic procedures Eight prenatally androgenized (PA) and 5 control female rhesus monkeys of similar age, body weight and body mass index received an oral placebo daily for 6–7 months followed, after at least 90 days, by daily oral dosing with pioglitazone (3 mg/kg) for an additional 6–7 months. Blood was sampled thrice weekly to monitor ovulatory function, and a variety of endocrine challenges were performed to quantify changes in ovarian, gonadotropin and glucoregulatory function. Most important findings Pioglitazone normalized menstrual cycles in 5 out of 8 (62%) PA females (pioglitazone responsive; PioRESP). Pioglitazone increased serum 17α-hydroxyprogesterone responses to an hCG injection in PioRESP PA females, while diminishing serum progesterone, and increasing DHEA and estradiol responses to hCG in PioRESP PA and all normal females. Principal conclusions Insulin resistance plays a mechanistic role in maintaining anovulation in a majority of PA female monkeys.
What puts heart failure patients at risk for poor medication adherence

Background Medication nonadherence is a major cause of hospitalization in patients with heart failure (HF), which contributes enormously to health care costs. We previously found, using the World Health Organization adherence dimensions, that condition and patient level factors predicted nonadherence in HF. In this study, we assessed a wider variety of condition and patient factors and interactions to improve our ability to identify those at risk for hospitalization.
Hemiparetic muscle atrophy and increased intramuscular fat in stroke patients.

Abstract Ryan AS, Dobrovolny CL, Smith GV, Silver KH, Macko RF. Hemiparetic muscle atrophy and increased intramuscular fat in stroke patients. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2002;83:1703-7. Objective: To determine if skeletal muscle atrophy and greater fat deposition within the muscle are present in the hemiparetic limb of chronic (>6mo) hemiparetic stroke patients. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Hospital-based research center. Participants: Sixty patients (47 men, 13 women; mean age ± standard deviation, 65±9y). Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Patients underwent a total body scan by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry to determine percentage of body fat, total lean mass, fat mass, and lean mass of the paretic and nonaffected legs, thighs, and arms. Thirty patients received computed tomography (CT) scans of their midthigh to determine muscle area, subcutaneous fat, and low-density lean tissue, as a measure of fat within the muscle area, of the paretic and nonaffected midthigh. Results: Patients were deconditioned (VO 2 peak: 1.2±0.3L/min) with a percentage of body fat of 31.4%±9.8% and total lean mass of 51.4±9.1 kg. Lean mass of the paretic leg and thigh were 4% and 3% lower than the nonaffected leg ( P P P =.06). The ratio of midthigh low-density lean tissue to muscle area was higher in the paretic leg ( P Conclusions: Our results show hemiparetic skeletal muscle atrophy and more fat within the muscle, factors that may contribute to functional disability and increased cardiovascular disease risk in chronic hemiparetic stroke patients. © 2002 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Heterosexual Anal Intercourse among Men in Long Beach, California

Anal intercourse poses a greater risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission than vaginal intercourse, and in recent years there has been a growing understanding that heterosexual anal intercourse (HAI) is not uncommon. However, the majority of the anal intercourse literature has focused on men who have sex with men. The little research on HAI has mostly looked at women, with limited work among men. This analysis examined the association between HAI and high-risk behaviors (N = 1,622) and sexual sensation seeking (N = 239) in a sample of men recruited from 2001 to 2012 in Long Beach, California. Almost half of the sample was non-Hispanic Black. The median age was 42 years, 42% were homeless, and 20% reported recent HAI. Men who reported HAI were likely to be Hispanic, were likely to be homeless, had a male partner, engaged in sex exchange, and used cocaine or amphetamines during sex. Men who reported HAI scored higher on the Sexual Sensation Seeking scale. This research supports other work sh...
Moral codes, moral tensions, and hiding behind the rules: A snapshot of athletic administrators’ practical morality

Sport administrators working in highly formalised sport organisations presumably have their moral decisions guided by strict rules, regulations, and standards of conduct. Challenges arise when organisational standards and values contradict administrators’ personal moralities. In such cases administrators must learn how to weigh these different values and standards and make “good decisions.” The purpose of this study was to examine athletic administrators’ morality as it pertains to how they think about right and wrong and how they discerned different moral values in carrying out their various professional roles and responsibilities. Interviews with 10 compliance officers from each of the institutions in a large athletic conference in the United States were carried out. The findings showed that the respondents displayed an individual normative system comprised of professional and personal moral values. Their respective normative systems reflected an overall practical morality that drew from addressing moral challenges in their compliance work. These respective values created various tensions for the compliance officers when deciding right from wrong, fulfilling their compliance officer role, and interpreting rules. The findings also showed that some individuals “hide behind the rules” in order to shed themselves of moral responsibilities. The nature of the results has implications for sport management ethics curriculum and how we train individuals in relation to enhancing their practical morality and ability to address the diversity of moral challenges that arise within respective sport professions.
An Evaporating Ethanol Meniscus—Part I: Experimental Studies

The profile of an evaporating ethanol meniscus was measured as a function of the evaporative heat flux using interferometry. A measure of the evaporative heat flux was obtained using vapor deposited resistance thermometers. The meniscus profile was found to be stable and a function of the heat flux for the heat flux range of 0 – 1.36w/m of interline. These results were used in an analysis of capillary flow heat transfer in Part II.
Recouping Training and Development Costs Using Preemployment Agreements

The dollars associated with training and development investments for organizations are considerable. Employers are unable to recoup these expenditures if workers leave the firm before it has had an opportunity to realize the benefits of such training. To assist businesses in maximizing their return on investments in human capital, it is suggested that training and development professionals and legal counsel examine the applicability of preemployment agreements to recover their training expenses. Such cost-sharing agreements—provided they are clear and narrowly written, reasonable, moderate, and serve legitimate business interests—are permissible contracts that require employees to continue in service for a period of time or reimburse the organization an agreed-upon sum if they leave before an agreed-upon time.
Auditory matching-to-sample in monkeys (Cebus apella)

Four of 8 monkeys were successfully trained on an identity matching-to-sample task employing two acoustic stimuli. In five subsequent tests with different pairs of auditory stimuli, their performances were at levels that provided strong evidence for concept-mediated transfer. Thus, despite past failures to demonstrate the matching concept in the auditory modality, the present results indicate that the matching concept is not limited in monkeys to the visual modality. On the other hand, the failure of 4 subjects to learn the initial matching task constitutes additional evidence of cognitive asymmetry in monkeys with regard to the visual and auditory modalities.
Constrained/Directed Crystallization of Nylon-6. I. Nonstoichiometric Inclusion Compounds Formed with Cyclodextrins

Noncovalently bonded crystalline inclusion compounds (ICs) have been formed by threading host cyclic starches, cyclodextrins (CDs), onto guest nylon-6 (N-6) chains. When excess N-6 is employed, nonstoichiometric (n-s)-N-6-CD-ICs, with partially uncovered and “dangling” N-6 chains, result. While the host crystalline CD lattice is stable to ∼300 °C, the uncovered, yet constrained, portions of the N-6 chains emanating from the CD-IC surfaces may crystallize below or be molten above ∼225 °C. We have been studying the constrained crystallization of the unthreaded N-6 chains “dangling” from (n-s)-N-6-CD-ICs, with comparison to bulk N-6 samples, as functions of N-6 molecular weights, lengths of uncovered N-6 chains (N-6:CD stoichiometry), and the CD host used. In the IC channels formed with host α- and γ-CDs containing 6 and 8 glucose units, respectively, single and pairs of side-by-side N-6 chains are threaded and included. In α-CD-ICs, the ∼0.5 nm channels produced by stacked α-CDs are separated by ∼1.4 nm, wh...
Robotics software systems

Abstract A robotics software “system” is defined here as one which allows robot users to program robot tasks in terms of key states of the task, instead of manipulator motions. It consists of two subsystems: a language system and a planning system. The language system involves the design of syntax and semantics of a robot programming language whereas the planning system determines specific manipulator movements for a given task defined in a task-level language. This paper describes the major components of a robotics software system and reviews principal research findings in the related aspects including programming languages, manipulator and world modelings, motion planning, and graphic simulation. Underlying research issues are addressed at the end.
Towards cosmopolitan learning

In recent years, the idea of cosmopolitanism has variously been explored as a political philosophy, a moral theory and a cultural disposition. In each of these cases, this new interest in cosmopolitanism is based upon a recognition that our world is increasingly interconnected and interdependent globally, and that most of our problems are global in nature requiring global solutions. In this paper, I argue that this recognition demands new resources of learning about how our lives are becoming re-shaped by global processes and connections, and how we might live with and steer the economic, political and cultural shifts that contemporary forms of global connectivity represent. In the context of these global shifts, learning itself needs to become cosmopolitan. This requires the development of a new approach around the old idea of cosmopolitanism, interpreting it not so much as a universal moral principle, nor as a prescription recommending a particular form of political configuration – nor indeed as a trans...
La economía global y El Quijote

La vida y obra de Miguel de Cervantes coincide con el primer ciclo de la globalizacion. El principal motor de la economia mundial fue el comercio de la plata entre los mercados americanos y Asia. La nueva economia mundial se desarrollo al mismo tiempo que la "revolucion militar" en Eurasia. Los imperios otomano, persa, mongol y ruso y otras entidades politicas usaron los nuevos "hardware" y "software" militares para expandir sus fronteras y mantener su posicion, empleando gran parte de sus recursos financieros. Esas nuevas realidades politicas y economicas impulsaron los intercambios que irrevocablemente cambiaron la historia del mundo. Este fue el tiempo de El Quijote.
Integrated Sample Preparation and Sensing: Polymer Microresonator Sensors Embedded in Digital Electrowetting Microfluidic Systems

Portable point-of-care (POC) medical diagnostic devices demand low power consumption, efficient use of low sample and reagent volumes, and small size. A “digital” electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWD) microfluidics system with integrated optical sensors is a promising platform for portable POC diagnostic devices that integrate sample preparation with sensing. Herein is reported the highest sensitivity and figure of merit (FOM) microresonator sensor integrated with an EWD system to date [FOM is the product of the quality (Q) factor and the sensitivity (S)]. The EWD system embedded microresonator sensor had a measured FOM of 0.60 × 106 nm/RIU (Q = 8,400, S = 72 nm/RIU) in 2-cSt silicone oil and water, which is nearly double the best FOM previously reported for an microresonator placed on top of an EWD system. Additionally, a nominal FOM of 1.2 × 106 nm/RIU (Q = 15 000, S = 82 nm/RIU) was measured for the vertically coupled sensor fabricated on a standard SiO2/Si substrate. This FOM is the highest reported to date for SU-8 microresonators probed at wavelengths around 1550 nm. These results indicate that high-performance polymer sensors can be integrated with low-power-consumption EWD microfluidics sample preparation systems toward the development of portable POC diagnostic devices.
Incorporating work factors in design for disassembly in product design

Purpose – This paper seeks to present a methodology to design products for disassembly. This would facilitate end‐of‐life product disassembly with a view to maximizing material usage in the supply chain at a low cost to the environment.Design/methodology/approach – The methodology presented in the paper draws on fundamentals related to task analysis and motion time measurement. The methodology was practically applied to disassemble several different consumer products with significant savings in time.Findings – Several improvements in product design resulted from various perspectives including functionality, assembly, aesthetics and disassembly.Research limitations/implications – The paper identifies several areas of future research including design optimization and designing work fixtures for disassembly.Originality/value – This work presents in part an improvement in current methodologies related to disassembly as well as original work based on task analysis and suggestion of design alternatives. The pap...
Evolution of plasma density generated by high power microwaves

The relaxation time of pulsed rf-generated plasma is investigated. A 3 MW, 3 μs width, 50 ns risetime HPM pulse is transmitted through a dielectric window that terminates a WR-284 waveguide filled with insulating gas. The investigated plasma is formed across the dielectric window on the atmospheric side. This produces electron densities on the order of 1013 to 1012 cm−3 for 60 to 145 torr in air, respectively. In the same pressure range, initial attenuation (∼ 0.5 dB) of the microwaves is observed after tens to hundreds of nanoseconds with final attenuation values approaching −40 to −10 dB, respectively. To determine plasma relaxation times after the HPM pulse terminates a multi-standard waveguide coupler (X/S-band) was designed to inject a low power 10 GHz signal used for probing the surface plasma. The coupler was designed to have high coupling coefficients (> −5 dB) for the specific narrowband around 10 GHz (BW ∼ 10 MHz) along with negligible insertion loss of the HPM propagation. From the measured attenuation and reflection of the 10 GHz probe signal, the evolution of the electron density is inferred. Furthermore, in an air environment, the density falls exponentially implying attachment as the dominate electron loss mechanism.
Pediatric Obesity and Depression A Cross-sectional Analysis of Absolute BMI as It Relates to Children’s Depression Index Scores in Obese 7- to 17-Year-Old Children

Depression and obesity are important in children because they affect health in childhood and later life. The exact relationship between obesity and depression, especially in children, remains undefined. Patients and methods. Using a cross-sectional chart review design, our study looked at a weight management clinic-based sample of 117 obese children, 7 to 17 years old, to determine the relationship between absolute BMI and depression as measured by the Children’s Depression Index (CDI) while accounting for confounders, such as the child’s medical problems, physical activity, and family structure. Results. There was no correlation between depression as measured by the CDI and increasing BMI in obese children seeking weight management. However, we did demonstrate a positive correlation between depression and paternal absence and daily television/computer/video game time. Conclusions: Clinicians should encourage decreasing screen time and might consider family therapy for obese children in families that lack...
Integrating Social Justice and Psychology

This article seeks to extend the model Goodman et al. advanced for making counseling psychology training more useful in the struggle for social justice. In addition to affirming the ideas of Goodman et al., this article offers some specific examples of how conventional, micro-level ideas in U.S. psychology can be scaled upward to be useful across multiple levels of social analysis. The author offers a critique of Goodman et al.’s near exclusive focus on multicultural perspectives in psychology by introducing ideas from the “radical school” of Black psychology to make the point that people with a history of oppression can have different training needs than those with a history of privilege.
A comparison of traditional vs. response-based involved-field radiotherapy on clinical target volume and organs at risk for pediatric rapid early responders with high-risk Hodgkin lymphoma

The purpose of this study was to compare the traditional involved-field radiation therapy (IFRT) which includes all sites of initial disease to response-based IFRT which includes only sites of bulky disease for rapid early responders (RER) in high-risk Hodgkin lymphoma. IFRT treatment plans (one traditional and one response-based), each delivering 21 Gy, were designed for seven pediatric patients with stage IIIB/IVB Hodgkin lymphoma. Dose–volume histograms (DVH) were created to determine the dose to the clinical target volume (CTV) and each organ at risk (OAR) for each treatment plan. The average CTV for the traditional IFRT was 1,491.3 cm3 and for response-based IFRT was 566.7 cm3 (p = 0.02). Response-based treatment reduced the average dose to the lungs from 13.3 to 6.5 Gy (p = 0.006), heart from 17.2 to 6.5 Gy (p = 0.004), breasts from 9.8 to 2.5 Gy (p = 0.003), thyroid from 21.7 to 6.1 Gy (p = 0.003), parotid glands from 8.6 to 0.8 Gy (p = 0.01), kidneys from 5.2 to 0.4 Gy (p = 0.02), liver from 8 to 0.5 Gy (p = 0.005), and spinal cord from 17.5 to 5.7 Gy (p = 0.001). Treating response-adapted reduced IFRT to sites of initial bulky disease for RER resulted in significant volume and dose reductions to the CTV and OAR when compared to the traditional IFRT. This reduction of dose to OAR may translate to a reduction of normal tissue toxicity and radiation late effects.