cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factor Structure of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale in Low- Income Women Attending Primary Care Clinics

Given the high rates of major depressive disorder in primary care settings, routine use of screening measures to assist in identifying depressed individuals is warranted. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) (Radloff, 1977) is a self-rated measure of distress commonly used to screen for depression in primary care settings. The present study was undertaken to confirm the original four-factor model in a sample of low-income women attending primary care clinics (N = 179). Although the original four-factor structure has been replicated in a variety of population groups, internal validity of the measure has not been previously examined in this population sample. A series of confirmatory factor analytic procedures failed to replicate the original four-factor structure or a second-order model. An exploratory analysis, using principal components and a VARIMAX rotation yielded three factors: Depressed Affect/Somatic Symptoms, Positive Affect, and Interpersonal Difficulties. Results of this...
Emergence of Sustained Spontaneous Hyperactivity and Temporary Preservation of off Responses in Ganglion Cells of the Retinal Degeneration (rd1) Mouse

Complex alterations in the anatomy of outer retinal pathways accompany photoreceptor degeneration in the rd1 mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa, whereas inner retinal neurons appear relatively pre...
On the Algebraic Classification of Fredholm Integral Operators

Using the well-known and specific connections between Fredholm integral equations, two-point boundary-value problems, and linear dynamics-quadratic cost control processes, we present a complete, independent set of algebraic invariants suitable for classifying a wide range of Fredholm integral operators with respect to a certain group of transformations. The group, termed theRiccati group, is naturally suggested by the control theoretic setting, but seems nonintuitive from a purely integral-equations point of view. Computational considerations resulting from this classification are discussed.
45.4: Invited Paper: Enhancing the Energy Efficiency of TFT-LCDs

Four approaches for enhancing the energy efficiency of TFT-LCDs will be reviewed: 1) linearly polarized lamp, 2) backlight recycling based on nano-wire grid polarizer, 3) color-filter-less color sequential LCDs using fast-response blue phase liquid crystals, and 4) intelligent backlight management using dynamic LED backlight.
Immunologic evaluation of patients with advanced head and neck cancer receiving weekly chemoimmunotherapy

Patients with advanced head and neck cancer have significant reduction in their circulating lymphocyte mass which is reflected in decreased numbers of T cells, Fc receptor cells, and in derangements of T lymphocyte functions, i.e., decreased responsiveness to several dilutions of phytohemagglutinin and lack of development of delayed hypersensitivity to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (70% of patients were DNCB (-)). A population of phagocytic cells capable of decreasing lymphocyte responsiveness to mitogens were demonstrated. Removal of these cells resulted in an increment in lymphocyte responsiveness. Immunological impairment seemed to correlate with patients' ability to become sensitized to DNCB. Those patients who were DNCB (+) had less derangement in their immunological parameters. Weekly administration of Corynebacterium parvum in conjunction with chemotherapy did not have a discernible effect on patient's immune reactivity.
The toxicity of alfalfa saponins in rats

Abstract Saponins were isolated from aerial alfalfa plants (alfalfa top saponins; ATS) and incorporated into semi-purified diets. Three groups of eight Sprague-Dawley male rats were fed, respectively, a semi-purified control diet or the same diet containing 1 or 2% ATS. The former ATS diet was fed for 6 months, the latter for 2 months. During the first 4 days, rats on ATS showed a depression of food intake, and 1% cholesterol was subsequently added to all the diets. ATS ingestion had no effect on food intake (after day 5), growth or survival, blood urea nitrogen, serum levels of glucose, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride, CO2, uric acid, calcium, phosphorus, total protein, albumin, total and direct bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase or glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase, erythrocyte and leucocyte counts, haemoglobin levels, haematocrit determinations or erythrocyte osmotic fragility. The levels of serum cholesterol and triglycerides were reduced in animals fed 1% ATS for 6 months. Post-mortem examination revealed no differences in gross or microscopic findings among the groups. Thus this study provided no evidence of toxicity associated with ATS in cholesterol-fed rats.
Rate constants for the reactions of primary alkyl radicals with SmI2 in THF/HMPA

Abstract The first bimolecular rate constants for the reduction of a primary alkyl radical by SmI2 were obtained by using a competitive hexenyl radical clock. Rate constants varied from 5 × 105 to 7 × 106 M−1s−1, depending on the amount of HMPA present.
Ticks and tick-borne pathogens at the cutaneous interface: host defenses, tick countermeasures, and a suitable environment for pathogen establishment

Ticks are unique among hematophagous arthropods by continuous attachment to host skin and blood feeding for days; complexity and diversity of biologically active molecules differentially expressed in saliva of tick species; their ability to modulate the host defenses of pain and itch, hemostasis, inflammation, innate and adaptive immunity, and wound healing; and, the diverse array of infectious agents they transmit. All of these interactions occur at the cutaneous interface in a complex sequence of carefully choreographed host defense responses and tick countermeasures resulting in an environment that facilitates successful blood feeding and establishment of tick-borne infectious agents within the host. Here, we examine diverse patterns of tick attachment to host skin, blood feeding mechanisms, salivary gland transcriptomes, bioactive molecules in tick saliva, timing of pathogen transmission, and host responses to tick bite. Ticks engage and modulate cutaneous and systemic immune defenses involving keratinocytes, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, T cell subpopulations (Th1, Th2, Th17, Treg), B cells, neutrophils, mast cells, basophils, endothelial cells, cytokines, chemokines, complement, and extracellular matrix. A framework is proposed that integrates tick induced changes of skin immune effectors with their ability to respond to tick-borne pathogens. Implications of these changes are addressed. What are the consequences of tick modulation of host cutaneous defenses? Does diversity of salivary gland transcriptomes determine differential modulation of host inflammation and immune defenses and therefore, in part, the clades of pathogens effectively transmitted by different tick species? Do ticks create an immunologically modified cutaneous environment that enhances specific pathogen establishment? Can tick saliva molecules be used to develop vaccines that block pathogen transmission?
Assessing Teaching Effectiveness in a Basic Food Laboratory Setting: Phases 2 and 3, Educator and Student Responses

To ensure a consistently high standard of teaching effectiveness in the delivery of instruction, universities employ various evaluation methods. The student evaluation tool (SET) has become the most commonly used measure of teaching effectiveness in a classroom environment. Most food laboratory instructors insist that these criteria are not appropriate when measuring teaching effectiveness in food laboratory settings. A SET previously developed for a basic foods laboratory was used to collect feedback from hospitality educators and students. Also, the researchers wanted to examine the data for significant differences between these two groups. The two groups did view many items of the SET differently, and the factor analysis showed the student section of the SET to be the difference. The study findings can assist educators with improving performance by incorporating student feedback to enhance teaching methods and delivery in a basic food laboratory.
Stability and bifurcation in Yang-Mills theory

Whenever gyroscopic forces are present, stable static solutions to dynamical equations of motion need not minimize the energy. We show that this happens in the classical Yang-Mills theory with sources, and we identify the stable fluctuations which lower the energy. The finite form of these infinitesmal, time-dependent deformations of the known static solutions is obtained for weak external sources, and a unified description of both the static and time-varying solutions is given. Also, we demonstrate that the previously found bifurcation in the presence of strong sources is characterized by a zero-eigenvalue mode which dominates the behavior of the solutions near the bifurcation point. The stability properties of the bifurcating solutions are assessed.
Consumer benefit versus price elasticity of demand: a nonlinear complex system model of pricing internet services on QoS-centric architecture

Based on complex system considerations, a technoeconomic model to depict the extent of consumer reaction (in terms of consumer surplus, V) to changes in Internet pricing is developed. Relevant research pursuit tracks analytically, the nonlinear evolution of the functional relation in question with various stochastic (and/or deterministic) technoeconomic parameters that interactively decide the underlying complexity. Hence, an explicit function is derived to relate the fractional change in V and the price elasticity of demand (E) specific to differentially classifiable services on Quality of Service (QoS) (DiffServ)-centric Internet architecture. The model is applied to dynamic-, smart- and static-market pricing schemes. Results are discussed with respect to some model simulations.
Moving Free Surface Heat Transfer Analysis by Continuously Deforming Finite Elements

A two-dimensional transient analysis of forced-convection heat transfer is presented for a heated liquid with a free surface advancing into an initially empty channel of finite length at a lower temperature. The problem formulation is neither purely Eulerian nor purely Lagrangian. In particular, conservation equations for a control volume that deforms at a known rate are derived. These equations are used to derive a finite-element formulation that encompasses continuous mesh deformation automatically and consistently, and numerical results of its solution are presented.
Gravity jitter effected slosh waves and the stability of a rotating bubble under microgravity

The instability of liquid and gas interface can be induced by the pressure of longitudinal and lateral accelerations, vehicle vibration, and rotational fields of spacecraft in a microgravity environment. Characteristics of slosh waves excited by the restoring force field of gravity jitters have been investigated. Results show that lower frequency gravity jitters excite slosh wave with higher ratio of maximum amplitude to wave length than that of the slosh waves generated by the higher frequency gravity jitters.
Complexity of Single-Layer Routing

The problem of routing wires between pairs of terminals over a two-dimensional grid is shown to be NP-complete. Actually, the stronger result of routing over any planar graph with no vertex having degree greater than 3 is shown to be NP-complete.
Rotation of crystals under axial strain

Abstract Deformation texture of a polycrystalline aluminium under compression is calculated with the assumption that individual crystals suffer the same strain as the aggregate. The sequence of active slip systems is calculated with the consideration of elastic strain. The most slipped system is taken to be least hardened. Latent systems on active planes are assumed to be less hardened than those on latent planes. The active slip systems, the rotation vector, and the orientation of a crystal at any stage of loading are calculated at 1 per cent successive incremental strains. The distribution of preferred orientations at 30 per cent compression is shown. It has been found that crystals of a range of orientations slide and rotate toward a common end orientation (θ = 84.9°, φ = 28.0°).
Teaching pediatric hand surgery in Vietnam.

Background International volunteering missions are becoming an important focus of plastic surgeons in the United States. The purpose of this paper is to describe the teaching of pediatric hand surgery in Vietnam to share the lessons learned from this project.
Inhomogeneous beams that may possess a prescribed polynomial second mode

Abstract The following problem is posed and solved in this study: Reconstruct the stiffness variation of an inhomogeneous Bernoulli–Euler beam, whose second shape expressed as a polynomial function possesses a node at any pre-selected location. It is shown that for polynomial mode shapes there are regions of allowable position of the node for three specific cases studied in detail: (1) a beam with constant mass density; (2) linear mass density and (3) parabolically varying mass density.
A Secure Programming Paradigm for Network Virtualization

The central paradigm of today's successful Internet is to keep the network core simple and move complexity towards the network end points. Unfortunately, this very paradigm limits network management and control capabilities, and creates opportunities for attacks such as worms, viruses, and spam that often seriously disrupt and degrade Internet and user performance. The thrust of this paper is that such problems cannot be effectively solved unless a paradigm shift is adopted. Towards a more secure and manageable Internet, we propose "virtualization" of the Internet, by carefully balancing its scalability and programmability properties. Our objective is to provide a programmable virtual Internet to users and to let them manage, control, and optimize it based on their individual needs.
Is Survival in Acute Myocardial Infarction Related to Thrombolytic Efficacy or the Open-Artery Hypothesis?: A Controversy to Be Investigated with GUSTO

The reduction in morbidity and mortality associated with thrombolytic therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction was initially attributed to early restoration of arterial patency, salvage of ischemic myocardium, and preservation of left ventricular function. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) was initially the favored thrombolytic agent because of selected studies showing superior early patency rates. Interestingly, averaged results of studies using conventional dosing regimens show 90-min patency rates for streptokinase, rt-PA, and anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex (APSAC) to be 53%, 68%, and 72%, respectively, suggesting that previous claims exaggerated differences in early patency. More recently, it was found that administering the full 100-mg dose of rt-PA within 90 min increased 90-min patency rates to approximately 85% and that infusing rt-PA plus urokinase or streptokinase halved reocclusion rates. These results again suggest the unrealized potential of rt-PA to offer a unique clinical benefit. However, three important recent trials have challenged the concept that early patency conveys a survival benefit by showing no difference in mortality in patients treated with different thrombolytic agents. Other trials have shown survival benefit in patients in whom patency of the infarct artery was achieved in a time frame beyond that in which myocardial salvage could be expected. The "open-artery hypothesis" suggests that survival may be more dependent on improved left ventricular remodeling and healing, increased electrical stability, and better myocardial perfusion than on infarct size reduction. In an attempt to determine whether 90-min patency or 24-h patency is more predictive of survival, the Global Utilization of Streptokinase and t-PA for Occluded Coronary Arteries (GUSTO) trial will randomize approximately 40,000 patients to (1) streptokinase and subcutaneous heparin; (2) streptokinase and intravenous heparin; (3) front-loaded, weight-adjusted rt-PA and intravenous heparin; or (4) the combination of streptokinase and rt-PA and intravenous heparin.
The Structure of the Cataract-Causing P23T Mutant of Human γD-Crystallin Exhibits Distinctive Local Conformational and Dynamic Changes†,‡

Crystallins are major proteins of the eye lens and essential for lens transparency. Mutations and aging of crystallins cause cataracts, the predominant cause of blindness in the world. In human γD-crystallin, the P23T mutant is associated with congenital cataracts. Until now, no atomic structural information has been available for this variant. Biophysical analyses of this mutant protein have revealed dramatically reduced solubility compared to that of the wild-type protein due to self-association into higher-molecular weight clusters and aggregates that retain a nativelike conformation within the monomers [Pande, A., et al. (2005) Biochemistry 44, 2491−2500]. To elucidate the structure and local conformation around the mutation site, we have determined the solution structure and characterized the protein’s dynamic behavior by NMR. Although the global structure is very similar to the X-ray structure of wild-type γD-crystallin, pivotal local conformational and dynamic differences are caused by the threonin...
Studying the biodistribution of positron emission tomography reporter probes in mice

Positron emission tomography (PET) reporter probes (PRPs) are used to detect PET reporter gene (PRG) expression in living subjects. This article details protocols for analyzing the biodistribution of a PRP used to detect herpes simplex virus 1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-tk) or mutant HSV1-sr39tk PRG expression. However, the methods described are generalizable to other beta- or gamma/positron-emitting probes. Accumulation of PRPs in animal tissues can be determined by counting PRP activity of isolated tissues, whereas digital whole-body autoradiography (DWBA) provides high-resolution images of PRP biodistribution in 5- to 45-μm tissue slices of killed research animals at a single time point. Biodistribution assay results may be obtained in less than a week after beginning the assay, and DWBA image acquisitions can take up to 3 months depending on the probe's radioisotope.
Anti-ship missile tracking with a chirped amplitude modulation ladar

Shipboard infrared search and track (IRST) systems can detect sea-skimming anti-ship missiles at long ranges. Since IRST systems cannot measure range and velocity, they have difficulty distinguishing missiles from slowly moving false targets and clutter. ARL is developing a ladar based on its patented chirped amplitude modulation (AM) technique to provide unambiguous range and velocity measurements of targets handed over to it by the IRST. Using the ladar's range and velocity data, false alarms and clutter objects will be distinguished from valid targets. If the target is valid, it's angular location, range, and velocity, will be used to update the target track until remediation has been effected. By using an array receiver, ARL's ladar can also provide 3D imagery of potential threats in support of force protection. The ladar development program will be accomplished in two phases. In Phase I, currently in progress, ARL is designing and building a breadboard ladar test system for proof-of-principle static platform field tests. In Phase II, ARL will build a brassboard ladar test system that will meet operational goals in shipboard testing against realistic targets. The principles of operation for the chirped AM ladar for range and velocity measurements, the ladar performance model, and the top-level design for the Phase I breadboard are presented in this paper.
Preserving first and second moments of the slope area relationship during the interpolation of digital elevation models

Accurate representation of terrain with appropriate reproduction of topographic characteristics is important for increasingly sophisticated physically-based models of natural processes. Recently investigators have successfully enforced slope area relationships to interpolate more realistic topographies from the sparse data. The limitation of those procedures is that, for the most part, they preserve only the first moment (the mean), when scaling slope with contributing area. Here we present a simple approach to also enforce the second moment, the variance, during landscape evolution simulations or physically-based spatial interpolations.
Validating originality, efficiency and rule conformity sub-scales in the adaptor-innovator in the workplace measure

Researcher demand for cognitive style measures is based on individual differences and the need to determine their influence. Several researchers have examined how individuals who desire to 'do things better', termed adaptors, differ from those who desire to 'do things differently', termed innovators. How these two groups vary with regards to information systems provides insight into many aspects of information technology including, development, training, implementation and use. While the basic adaptor-innovator in the workplace (AI-W) scale has been validated, there is a need to extend this measure and test for the existence of three distinct sub-scales. This work attempts to extend the AI-W scale and validate the existence of individual approach to efficiency, rule governance and sufficiency of originality so that other researchers may use this scale in future work. Initial results indicate the existence of the sub-scales providing a foundation for future work.
Commentary: the future of forensic functional brain imaging.

In “Functional MRI Lie Detection: Too Good to be True?” in this issue of The Journal, Joseph Simpson reviews the merits and the limitations of using fMRI to detect deception. After presenting the gaps in experimental data that stand in the way of translating the laboratory proof of concept to a field application, Simpson surveys the legal, regulatory and ethics concerns facing fMRI, should it emerge as a technologically robust method of lie detection. In our commentary, we update and interpret the data described by Simpson, from the points of view of an experimental scientist and a forensic clinician. We conclude that the current research funding and literature are prematurely skewed toward discussion of existing findings, rather than generation of new fMRI data on deception and related topics such as mind-reading, consciousness, morality, and criminal responsibility. We propose that further progress in brain imaging research may foster the emergence of a new discipline of forensic MRI.
A Triorchid Japanese Quail

Abstract While conducting a series of experiments with Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) from the California random line 908, an adult male was found possessing three testes (Fig. 1). The left testis was normal in size (0.923 gm.). The right testis was divided, the cranial portion being larger (0.344 gm.) than the caudal portion (0.284 gm.). Microscopic examination verified that spermatogenesis was proceeding actively in all three testes. Both the left epididymis and ductus deferens were normal in appearance and disposition. A single epididymis served both divisions of the right testis, and a poorly developed, thread-like ductus deferens passed from the right epididymis toward but not reaching the cloaca. In addition to the anomalous right testis there was also absence of the right kidney and its ureter, which resulted in the left kidney being larger (0.900 gm.) than usual. No other defects were noted. The occurrence of this type of…
Age effects on interrelationships between lung volume and heart rate during standing

To determine the effects of aging and posture on the relationship between respiration and heart rate (HR), we collected 5 min of lung volume and R-R interval data from 7 young (27 ± 3 yr, mean ± SD...
"Towns of Unquestionable Insignificance" in Caryl Phillips' A Distant Shore

This essay explores the figuration of English provinciality in Caryl Phillips' 2003 novel A Distant Shore . While many critics have argued that the isolated, provincial, northern town in which much of the novel is set represents British identity at its core, I show that rural and provincial areas, especially in northern England, has always been marginal to mainstream British culture, geographically, economically, and politically. Phillips uses the provincial setting and an unreliable narration to explore not only how political conflict seems to stem from place -- instead of the reverse -- but also how different individuals and groups can be both marginal and actively marginalize others.
Speculations on the evolution of awareness

The "attention schema" theory provides one possible account of the biological basis of consciousness, tracing the evolution of awareness through steps from the advent of selective signal enhancement about half a billion years ago to the top-down control of attention, to an internal model of attention which allows a brain, for the first time, to attribute to itself that it has a mind that is aware of something, to the ability to attribute awareness to other beings, and from there to the human attribution of a rich spirit world surrounding us. Humans have been known to attribute awareness to plants, rocks, rivers, empty space, and the universe as a whole. Deities, ghosts, souls-the spirit world swirling around us is arguably the exuberant attribution of awareness.
Adaptive divergence and the evolution of reproductive isolation in the wild: an empirical demonstration using introduced sockeye salmon

Populations exposed to different ecological environments should diverge for phenotypic traits that influence survival and reproduction. This adaptive divergence should reduce gene flow between populations because immigrants become less fit than residents and because hybrids perform poorly in either environment (i.e., ecologically-dependent reproductive isolation). Here I demonstrate adaptive divergence and the evolution of reproductive isolation in populations of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) introduced from a common ancestral source into a new lake system (Lake Washington, Washington). The introduced fish founded several new populations, two of which experience very different environments during breeding and early development (Cedar River v.s. Pleasure Point beach). Over 13 generations, the two populations diverged for adult traits (female body size, male body depth; measured in the wild) and embryo traits (survival to hatching, development rate, size at emergence; measured in a common environment). The rates of divergence for these characters were similar to those observed in other examples of 'rapid evolution', and can best be attributed to natural selection. Partial reproductive isolation has evolved in concert with adaptive divergence: the rate of exchange of adults between the populations (determined using natural tags) is higher than the rate of gene flow (determined using DNA microsatellites). The demonstration that adaptive divergence can initiate reproductive isolation in less than 13 generations suggests that the first signs of 'ecological speciation' may appear soon after new environments are first colonized.
Species richness on islands in time: variation in ephemeral pond crustacean communities in relation to habitat duration and size

Ephemeral ponds are doubly insular habitats in that they are discrete in time as well as in space. Predicting species richness based on pond size has been attempted using measures of both spatial extent and habitat duration, but habitat qualities alone only drive community composition under the species-sorting metacommunity paradigm. We tested the hypothesis that community composition in temporary ponds is driven by species sorting due to pond duration. In order to eliminate bias due to under-sampling, we sampled 34 pools distributed among 3 complexes in every ponding event over a period of six years, and identified every individual for the microcrustacean taxa. Our data were consistent with most of the predictions of the species-sorting hypothesis. There was a clear pattern of difference between ponds in species richness as well as higher species richness in years with higher rainfall. The set of crustacean species that we found in the pools was highly significantly nested across the region, but not necessarily within localized groups of ponds (complexes). We also found differences in community composition among complexes. Pond depth was the best predictor of species richness when data were summarized over the whole study, but in one year with unusually high rainfall, pond area and hydroperiod were significant but depth was not. We did find some species in all ponds. It is likely that given their short development time, ponds do not differ in habitat quality for these few species. These results taken together emphasize the variability inherent in ephemeral pond ecology, with detectable differences in crustacean communities and the factors influencing them between years as well as between ponds, and at scales of meters as well as kilometers. Although our data provide further evidence that species sorting on pond permanence is an important factor structuring temporary pond crustacean communities, our assumption that dispersal is not limiting still needs to be tested.
A New Work-Life Model for the Twenty-First Century:

With the coming of the new century, talk of change and new beginnings is everywhere—the new family, the new workforce, the new corporation, the new employee-employer contract. In the midst of all this talk of change, however, policies and practices in the work-life area remain surprisingly the same. No innovative ways of framing the issues have captured the imagination of policymakers; no dramatically new approaches have been embraced to meet the needs of changed constituencies. The author argues that this stagnation is due to well-entrenched but out-of-date assumptions about men and women, work and family. These assumptions have served to severely limit the development of creative approaches to corporate work-family policies. The challenge for the new century is to break the hold of these assumptions and find fresh approaches to work-life issues. The aim of this article is to articulate one such fresh approach.
Purification and partial characterization of a trypsin inhibitor isolated from the navy bean.

Abstract A method for isolating a trypsin inhibitor from the navy bean is described. Ultracentrifuge data give a molecular weight of 23,000. This finding, with trypsin inhibition data, indicates an apparent inhibitor to enzyme combining molar ratio of 1:2. The inhibitor contains 2 moles of hexose per mole of protein. Amino acid analyses indicate that the protein is rich in half-cystine (30 residues/mole), low in methionine (1 residue/mole), and contains no tryptophan or cysteine.
Robotic laparoendoscopic single site urological surgery: analysis of 50 consecutive cases.

Purpose: We present our cumulative experience with robotic laparoendoscopic single site urological surgery at a single institution.Materials and Methods: Medical records of patients undergoing robotic laparoendoscopic single site procedures between May 2008 and December 2010 were analyzed. The da Vinci® S or Si systems and 3 different multichannel single port devices were used. Demographic, intraoperative and postoperative data were assessed.Results: Overall, 50 patients were scheduled to undergo robotic laparoendoscopic single site urological surgery during the study period, representing 36% of the total patients undergoing laparoendoscopic single site surgery at our institution. Mean ± SD patient age was 60.2 ± 13.6 years. Mean body mass index was 27.0 ± 4.5 kg/m2. Specifically, 24 patients underwent robotic laparoendoscopic single site renal surgery and the same method was used in 26 patients undergoing pelvic surgery. Mean operative time was 207 ± 74 minutes and mean estimated blood loss was 140 ± 111...
Reducing the serious behavior problems of people with developmental disabilities living in the community

Trends and issues regarding the community-based support of people with developmental disabilities who exhibit severe behavior problems are discussed. Living in the community provides a unique framework within which behavior change programs are developed, implemented, and monitored. Support models for people with challenging behavior need to: (a) program for diversity across people, settings, and activities; (b) plan for high levels of integration in community settings among typical community members; and (c) meet guidelines regarding restrictions in intervention typologies. Increasingly, behavior analysts are conducting analog and in vivo assessments prior to intervening in order to develop an understanding of why behavior problems are occurring. Along with the increase in assessing the functions of behavior, is a greater attention to the contexts in which interventions are applied. The rearranging of contexts, communication training, choice-making, matching people's competence to their settings, the use of novelty, and proactive programing reflect these concerns.
The Changes They are A-Timed: Metabolism, Endogenous Clocks, and the Timing of Puberty.

Childhood obesity has increased dramatically over the last several decades, particularly in industrialized countries, often accompanied by acceleration of pubertal progression and associated reproductive abnormalities (Biro et al., 2006, Rosenfield et al., 2009). It has long been thought that the timing of pubertal initiation and progression in mammals is most likely dependent on nutritional and metabolic state, leading to the hypothesis that deviations from normal metabolic rate, such as those seen in obesity, may contribute to observed alterations in the rate of pubertal progression. This review will explore previous and current models of pubertal timing, outlining a potential role of endogenous timing mechanisms such as cellular circadian clocks in the initiation of puberty, and how these clocks might be altered by metabolic factors. Additionally, we will examine recently elucidated neuroendocrine regulators of pubertal progression such as kisspeptin, explore models detailing how the mammalian reproductive axis is silenced during the juvenile period and reactivated at appropriate developmental times, and emphasize how metabolic dysfunction such as childhood obesity may alter timing cues that advance or delay pubertal progression, resulting in diminished reproductive capacity.
Oral contraceptive‐α‐tocopherol interrelationships

After observing that some of the side effects of the administration of oral contraceptive drugs to rats resemble those resulting from vitamin E deficiency, a possibility of an increased requirement for vitamin E during oral contraceptive therapy was considered. Female rats were kept on the following diets all of which contained 15% stripped corn oil: (A) basal (no tocopherol), (B) basal + α-tocopherol to provide 1 mg/rat/day, (C) basal+butylated hydroxytoluene, and (D) basal with the α-tocopherol given only during drug administration. At 13 weeks of age, Enovid E was administered orally at a level corresponding to 0.002 mg mestranol and 0.05 mg norethynodrel/day for either 4 or 28 days, at which time the rats were sacrificed. In addition to previously shown changes, lowering of plasma tocopherol levels was observed in rats receiving the drug. On the other hand, the effects of an oral contraceptive were not as drastic in vitamin E deficient rats. Possible implications of these findings are discussed.
Central nervous system infections in patients with severe burns.

Background: Central nervous system (CNS) infections develop in 3–9% of neurosurgical ICU patients and 0.4–2% of all patients hospitalized with head trauma. CNS infection incidence in burn patients is unknown and this study sets out to identify the incidence and risk factors associated with CNS infections. Methods: A retrospective electronic chart review was performed from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2008 evaluating inpatient medical records along with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) microbiological results for the presence of CNS infection. The presence of facial and head injuries and burns, along with intracranial interventions were reviewed for association with CNS infections. Results: There were 1964 admissions with 2 patients (0.1%) found to have CNS infection; 1 each with MRSA and Acinetobacter baumannii. Both patients had facial burns and trauma to their head that required intracranial surgery. Of note, both patients had bacteremia with the same microorganisms isolated from their CSF and both survived. Of all patients, 29% had head or neck trauma and burns; 0.35% of those had a CNS infection. Scalp harvest for grafts or debridement of burned scalp was performed on 125 patients of which 9 had an invasive surgical procedure that involved penetration of the skull. The 2 infected patients were from these 9 intracranial surgical patients revealing a 22% infection rate. Conclusion: The incidence of CNS infections in patients with severe burns is extremely low at 0.1%. This rate was low even with head and face burns with trauma unless the patient underwent an intracranial procedure.
Thrombomodulin tightens the thrombin active site loops to promote protein C activation.

Thrombomodulin (TM) forms a 1:1 complex with thrombin. Whereas thrombin alone cleaves fibrinogen to make the fibrin clot, the thrombin-TM complex cleaves protein C to initiate the anticoagulant pathway. Crystallographic investigations of the complex between thrombin and TMEGF456 did not show any changes in the thrombin active site. Therefore, research has focused recently on how TM may provide a docking site for the protein C substrate. Previous work, however, showed that when the thrombin active site was occupied with substrate analogues labeled with fluorophores, the fluorophores responded differently to active (TMEGF1-6) versus inactive (TMEGF56) fragments of TM. To investigate this further, we have carried out amide H/ 2 H exchange experiments on thrombin in the presence of active (TMEGF45) and inactive (TMEGF56) fragments of TM. Both on-exchange and off-exchange experiments show changes in the thrombin active site loops, some of which are observed only when the active TM fragment is bound. These results are consistent with the previously observed fluorescence changes and point to a mechanism by which TM changes the thrombin substrate specificity in favor of protein C cleavage.
Systematic collection of bear-human interaction information for Alaska's national parks

We present a database application designed to standardize the collection and entry of brown and black bear (Ursus arctos and U. americanus)-human interaction data, formalize data storage methods, and analyze patterns of bear-human interactions in Alaska's National Parks. The National Park Service Alaska Region Bear-Human Information Management System (BHIMS) facilitates the systematic collection of biologically relevant data, consolidates bear management information, helps identify management priorities, facilitates the development of science-based bear management plans, helps evaluate the effectiveness of management strategies, helps provide more effective bear safety messages, creates permanent digital copies of original data, establishes bear management institutional memory, and ultimately improves bear conservation and human safety. The BHIMS can be modified for use in other locales and has applicability to bear management across North America.
Sexuality Content in the BSW Curriculum: A Pilot Study of Student Perceptions

As attitudes about sexuality change, social workers may confront client issues and/or problems related to human sexuality. This article describes a pilot study of student perceptions of human sexuality curriculum content and their views regarding their sense of preparedness and anticipation in dealing with this area of practice. A convenience sample of undergraduate students (n=170) from BSW programs at public and private institutions in the northeastern United States completed a study- specific questionnaire. Preliminary findings suggest study participants were unable to identify sexuality content within their curriculum. Only 42% (n=71) perceived that they were adequately prepared to handle most sexuality issues, although many anticipate working with clients with sexuality issues in practice. Limitations of the study are addressed. Directions for future research are discussed that may contribute to a better understanding of the delivery of human sexuality content to BSW students.
From Dreams to Reality: The Emerging Role of Law School Academic Support Programs

Reviews the history, rationale, development, and different program structures of Law School Academic Support Programs; briefly summarizes learning theory and explains how ASP can implement those theories to teach academic skills; and suggests that notwithstanding the significance of helping students develop solid academic skills, probably the most important work that ASP professionals do is to provide the non-academic support by making the human connection to students and believing in them.
Regulation of Sec-Facilitated Protein Translocation and Membrane Integration

A critical step in the biosynthesis of many proteins involves either translocation across a cellular membrane or integration into a cellular membrane. Both processes proceed via the Sec translocon - a ubiquitous and highly conserved transmembrane channel. Recent structural studies offer high-resolution snapshots of the translocon, and a wealth of biochemical and genetic data indicate important residues within the translocon; but many fundamental aspects of its mechanism and regulation remain unclear. Using both atomistic simulations and coarse-grained modeling, we investigate the conformational landscape and long-timescale dynamics of the translocon, and we explore the role of peptide substrates in the regulation of the translocation and integration pathways. Implications of these results for the regulation of Sec-mediated pathways for protein translocation, membrane integration, and integral membrane protein expression are discussed.
Dose‐dependent acebutolol disposition after oral administration

The relationship between dose and area under the blood concentration-time curve has been studied in 6 healthy subjects following both oral and intravenous doses of acebutolol. There is a more than proportional increase in area with increasing oral doses, and the area over a dosing interval following multiple oral doses is greater than the total area after a single dose of the same size. The role of an acetyl metabolite in producing these effects is discussed, as is the relevance of these observations to the clinical use of acebutolol.
Offshore wind power development in Maine: A rational choice perspective†

In this article, we explore the social, cultural, and political factors promoting and impeding development of offshore wind power in Maine, using the perspective of rational choice theory. Offshore floating wind platforms involve a new technology still in the experimental stage. Developing offshore wind power will require having very large scale organizations to build and finance wind farms capable of generating and transmitting electricity at competitive rates. But many obstacles can impede developing offshore wind power, including technical and financial problems and the level of support from the public and politicians. Our survey of the attitudes of three subgroups of Maine coastal people revealed substantial differences of opinion. Those in favor want to curb greenhouse gases and reduce dependence on foreign oil. Others are opposed because they fear negative effects (e.g., aesthetics; noise; reduced fishing area; mortality of animals, birds, or fish). From the perspective of rational choice theory, offshore wind power poses a collective action dilemma. Despite the need to develop renewable energy sources in a world facing climate change and shortages of cheap energy, development of offshore wind power in Maine will not succeed unless this dilemma is overcome. This does not appear likely to happen in the foreseeable future.
Hierarchical and Modulable Hydrophobic Folding and Self-assembly in Elastic Protein-based Polymers: Implications for Signal Transduction

When the hydrophobic (apolar) and polar moieties of elastomeric polypeptides are properly balanced, the polypeptides are soluble in water at lower temperatures but undergo folding and assembly transitions to increased order on raising the temperature. The temperatures, Tt, and heats, ΔHt, of these inverse temperature transitions are determined by differential scanning calorimetry for a series of elastomeric polypentapeptides: poly(VPAVG), poly(IPAVG), poly(VPGVG), poly(IPGVG), poly[0.5(VPGVG),0.5(IPGVG)] and poly[0.82(IPGVG),0.18(IPGEG)] where V = Val, P = Pro, A = Ala, G = Gly, I = lle and E = Glu. On increasing the hydrophobicity as when replacing V(Val) by I(lle) which is the addition of one CH2 moiety per pentamer, the temperature of the transition is lowered by 15 to 20°C and the heat of the transition is increased by more than one kcal/mole, for the above examples, by more than a factor of two. When differential scanning calorimetry thermograms are obtained on mixtures of poly(VPAVG) plus poly(IPAVG) or of poly(VPGVG) plus poly(IPGVG), it is found that the polypentapeptides self-separate, i.e., they de-mix, even though in the latter case the conformations have been shown to be essentially identical before and after their respective transitions. When the polymer, poly[0.82(IPGVG),0.18(IPGEG)], is studied as a function of pH, increasing the degree of ionization is found to increase the temperature and to decrease the heat of the transition such that, with the correct balance of I with the variable E(GluCOO−), the values of Tt and ΔHt can be made to approach those of poly(VPGVG). Acid-base titration studies indicate that less than one Glu(COO−) in 200 residues can raise the value of Tt by 25°C and decrease ΔHt by 90%. These and additional data are interpreted to mean that there exists an hierarchical hydrophobic folding, that the hierarchical hydrophobic folding can be modulated by changing the degree of ionization or by changes in a number of intensive variables, that changes in these intensive variables can be used to drive folding/unfolding-assembly/disassembly transitions under isothermal conditions, and that these unfolding/folding and disassembly/assembly transitions can be used to achieve signal transduction. This is called the ΔTt mechanism of free energy (signal) transduction.
Optical Properties of II-VI Semiconductor Doped Glass

We review structural and optical properties of CdSxSe1−x semiconductor nanoparticles embedded in an insulating glass matrix. Vibrational Raman scattering and x-ray diffraction can be used to determine the composition of the crystallites for all X and sizes. Debye-Scherrer broadening of x-ray diffraction peaks from the crystallites yields an average grain size in the semiconductor crystallites of 60A for the series studied here. Small angle x-ray scattering reveals that the average particle diameter is close to 120A. Optical absorption, photoluminescence, and photomodulated absorption spectra are interpreted within a spherical quantum well model. Electron-phonon coupling and size distribution effects on the spectra are also discussed.
The Importance of Paying Attention to the Developing History of Management in Teaching the Management

The Article presents the importance of paying attention to the developing history of management in the teaching based on the objectives characters in college management. The three points are the following: First, it benefits that the students can study the complete theory. Second, it can benefits that the students can realize the principles of management the developing process of the theory of management. Third, it benefits that the students can establish and conform the theory and develop the ability of widely thinking of the students.