cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Cornerstone Course in Sociology: Providing Students with Theory, Methods, and Career Preparation Early in the Major:

Cornerstone courses bridge introductory content from lower-level survey courses with the more advanced theoretical and methodological content of upper-level, major-only courses. Cornerstones are im...
Modeling and evaluating selective-plane X-ray induced luminescence imaging

438 Objectives The goal of this study is to develop an imaging model for selective-plane x-ray induced luminescence (SPXIL) of lanthanide-based nanoparticles (NPs), which emit near-infrared light in response to stimulation with x-rays. Our current research seeks to model the physics of the x-ray luminescence imaging for simulations that evaluate potential applications in monitoring response to radiation therapy or NP-enhanced radiation therapy. Methods We synthesized europium-doped yttrium oxide (Y2O3:Eu3+) NPs and dissolved them in an aqueous solution. We used a high resolution, cooled CCD camera to image the x-ray stimulated luminescence. We then modeled the physics of the experimental setup to determine the light yield of the NPs from the measurements. The light yield was then used in simulations to determine the minimum dose required for x-ray luminescence detection under a variety of conditions. Results Our analysis determined the light yield of the NP to be 1.81×10-5 photons per eV deposited in a single voxel for a NP concentration of 5 mg per mL. The simulations found that the minimum dose to achieve a detection SNR of 5 was 4.5 cGy for the experimental imaging voxel size of 20 µm x 20 µm X 2mm. The minimum dose decreased rapidly for simulations with larger imaging pixels, reaching 4 microGray for isotropic 2 mm voxels. .While these high concentrations of the NPs might be used for radiosensitization, even trace quantities could be imaged at relatively modest doses. The model indicates that 4 mGy would be required to image 5 micrograms/ml of NPs in 2 mm voxels. Conclusions Minimum dose excitations on the order of mGy down to microGys for trace and therapeutic concentrations of NPs, respectively, imply that the technique has potential for use in planning and monitoring NP-enhanced radiation therapy. While self-absorption of emitted light has not been explicitly modeled, typical absorption coefficients are 0.15/cm at 610 nm, which implies the effect will be minimal for tumors at depths of 1-2 cm.
How Does the Pressure-Overloaded Right Ventricle Adapt and Why Does It Fail? Macro-and Micro-Molecular Perspectives

The right ventricle (RV) eventually fails in most patients with severe chronic pulmonary hypertension, however, the individual myocardial reserve and ability to cope with the increased afterload, inflammation and metabolic derangements are highly variable. Hypertrophy is required for the RV to successfully adapt to the chronically elevated pressure and shear stress in the lung vessels. RV hypertrophy associated with an appropriate myocardial capillary density and normal function of the capillary endothelial cells are hallmarks of successful adaptation. Neuroendocrine hyperactivity or overdrive may contribute and facilitate the transition from adaptive RV hypertrophy to RV failure. Therapeutic strategies that reduce cellular stress and modify damaging failure components such as inflammation, lipotoxicity and proteotoxicity need to be explored in order to evaluate whether they can preserve RV function and improve outcome, even when the afterload of the RV cannot be significantly reduced.
Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Recurrence: Low Yield of Neck Ultrasound With an Undetectable Serum Thyroglobulin Level.

OBJECTIVES To assess the yield of neck ultrasound (US) when serum thyroglobulin (Tg) is undetectable (<0.1 ng/mL) compared to elevated serum Tg in patients with differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) treated with thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine 131 (RAI) ablation. METHODS A retrospective chart review was conducted from 2010 through 2015 at an academic institution evaluating US results in patients with serum Tg levels obtained within 6 months of a neck US examination after thyroidectomy and RAI. The reference standard for recurrence was pathologic results from US-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) or follow-up for at least 1 year. RESULTS Among 76 patients with undetectable serum Tg levels, there were 19 examinations in 18 patients in which US raised the possibility of recurrence. None of these 18 patients had recurrence by FNA (n = 8) or clinical follow-up of at least 1 year (n = 10). Among 65 patients with elevated serum Tg levels, there were 24 examinations in 22 patients in which US raised the possibility of recurrence. Twelve patients underwent FNA, with 9 patients (34.6%) showing PTC; 7 patients had follow-up neck US examinations showing stability of findings; and 3 patients were lost to follow up. The yield of neck US was significantly lower when serum Tg was undetectable compared to when levels were elevated (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS Neck US did not identify recurrent PTC when the serum Tg level was undetectable in patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and RAI therapy. Eliminating neck US when serum TG levels are undetectable could decrease unnecessary imaging examinations without negatively affecting the ability to detect recurrent disease.
Secure Loss of Excitation Detection Method for Synchronous Generators During Power Swing Conditions

Conventional loss of excitation (LOE) detection methods for synchronous generators may misoperate during power swings. In this paper, a novel method based on measured slip frequency at the terminal of synchronous generators is proposed to differentiate power swing conditions from LOE conditions. To enhance performance of the proposed method for noisy measured signals, a modified Prony method based on a combination of generalized total least-squares method and conventional Prony method is implemented to estimate slip frequency and an energy sorting technique is applied to distinguish the dominant frequency components of measured signals. Performance of the proposed method is evaluated under various operating conditions of a test system that is simulated in a co-simulation platform by linking CAPE and PSS/E software. Case study results illustrate that the proposed method can accurately differentiate power swing conditions from LOE conditions.
Experiencing Technical Difficulties: Teacher Self-efficacy and Instructional Technology

Advances in technology have prompted its application to broaden significantly, penetrating both private and public settings. Research has indicated that technology’s integration has been more rapid and consistent within personal domains (e.g., cell phones, personal computers) and less so within professional settings (e.g., workplace) [Niederhauser & Perkmen, Computers in Human Behavior, 26(3), 436–442, 2010; Scherer, Siddiq, & Teo, Computers & Education, 88, 202–214, 2015]. This finding is particularly evident when examining the role of technology within the system of education. Integration of instructional technology has faced a number obstacles [Celik & Yesilyurt, Computers & Education, 60(1), 148–158, 2013; Park & Koh, Computers in Human Behavior, 69, 142–150, 2017]. Studies have demonstrated that barriers to the integration of instructional technology exist within and outside of teachers [Burden & Hopkins, International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning, 8(2), 1–20, 2016; Ertmer & Ottenbreit-Leftwich, Computers & Education, 64, 175–182, 2013]. This chapter provides foundational research exploring these challenges. Additionally, this piece presents an overview of internal and external barriers across multiple domains of self-efficacy that are often experienced by teachers, and offers recommendations to help facilitate greater integration of instructional technology within education.
Intolerance of uncertainty and responsibility for harm predict nocturnal panic attacks.

Abstract Nocturnal panic involves waking suddenly from sleep in a state of panic, with no apparent cause, and affects more than half of patients with panic disorder. The Fear of Loss of Vigilance theory is the only proposed model for nocturnal panic, suggesting nocturnal panickers fear states in which they are unable to react to danger or protect themselves from threats. Prior work using a self-report questionnaire designed to test the theory (i.e., Fear of Loss of Vigilance Questionnaire; FLOVQ) was unsuccessful at differentiating nocturnal from daytime panickers. This study tested the theory using alternative measures to the FLOVQ. We predicted nocturnal panickers would show elevated responses to measures assessing fears of being unable to respond to or protect themselves from threats. A diverse community sample (N = 218) completed self-report measures related to panic attacks, intolerance of uncertainty, responsibility for harm, and anxiety sensitivity dimensions. Nocturnal panickers endorsed greater inhibitory intolerance of uncertainty and responsibility for harm, but not prospective intolerance of uncertainty, or anxiety sensitivity physical or cognitive concerns. This study provides support for the fear of loss of vigilance theory and suggests intolerance of uncertainty and responsibility for harm reduction be targeted in treatment for nocturnal panic attacks.
Deep Neural Networks (DNN) for Day-Ahead Electricity Price Markets

This work investigates the application of a multilayered Perceptron (MLP) deep neural network for the day-ahead price forecast of the Iberian electricity market (MIBEL) which serves the mainland areas of the Spain and Portugal. The 3-month and 6-month period of price and energy data are treated as a historical dataset to train and predict the price for day-ahead markets. The network structure is implemented using Google's machine learning TensorFlow platform. Activation function such as Rectifier Linear Unit (ReLU) was tested to achieve a better Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). Three different layers (2, 3, and 4) were tested to understand the behavior of the model. Three different sets of variables (17, 4, 2) were used and variable selection approaches were used to discard irrelevant variables.
Verrucous carcinoma arising in a long standing Buschke-Löwenstein tumor

Giant condyloma acuminatum is a rare variant of genital warts also known as Buschke-Lowenstein tumor. It is characterized by a slow progression of exophytic, ulcerative, and cauliflower-shaped tumor with benign histological features. Verrucous carcinoma however is a rare variant of well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma with limited metastatic potential.
Corrosion of upstream metal plumbing components impact downstream PEX pipe surface deposits and degradation.

Abstract Plastic pipes have been and are being installed downstream of metal drinking water plumbing components. Prior research has suggested that such pipe configurations may induce plastic pipe degradation and even system failure. To explore the impact of upstream metal plumbing components on downstream plastic pipes, field- and bench-scale experiments were conducted. Six month old galvanized iron pipes (GIPs) and downstream crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) pipes were exhumed from a residential home. Calcium, iron, manganese, phosphorous, and zinc were the most abundant elements on both GIPs and PEX pipes. Black and yellow deposits were found on some of the exhumed PEX pipe inner walls, which were mainly copper, iron, and manganese oxides (CuO, Cu(OH) 2 , Fe 2 O 3 , FeOOH and MnO 2 ). Follow-up bench-scale experiments revealed that metal levels in the drinking water did not always predict metal loadings on plastic pipe surfaces. The pH 4 water resulted in a greater amount of metals released into the bulk water, but the pH 7.5 water resulted in a greater amount of metals deposited on the PEX pipe surfaces. Hot water (55 °C) induced a greater amount of organics released and higher metal loadings on PEX pipe surfaces at pH 7.5. ATR-FTIR analysis showed that at 55 °C, PEX pipes connected to copper and brass components had the greatest oxidation functional group peak intensity (COOC, CO, and COC). This study highlights potential downstream plastic pipe degradation and metal deposition, which may cause plumbing problems and failures for building owners, inhabitants, and water utilities.
The NCI-N87 Cell Line as a Gastric Epithelial Model to Study Cellular Uptake, Trans-Epithelial Transport, and Gastric Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Anthocyanins.

Anthocyanins are ubiquitous plant pigments with reported antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities. To better understand these benefits, metabolism of anthocyanins requires further...
Some Elements of American Indian Pedagogy from an Anishinaabe Perspective

In 2005 I published an article discussing the teaching method we used for an introduction to American Indian studies course at Iowa State University.1 As might be expected, since the publication of that article my career and teaching have continued to develop. I am no longer at Iowa State but have moved to the Department of Native American Studies at Montana State University— Bozeman. Under these circumstances, a pedagogy based on American Indian approaches has become that much more appropriate. Additionally, I have more years worked with the teaching method in question, and as a result, I have refined the technique some, although the basic approach remains intact. In my previous piece, I did not delineate the elements that go into an American Indian pedagogy. I will address that issue here. Because I am most familiar with Anishinaabe culture, I will primarily limit my remarks to that nation. My article about teaching American Indian studies explained a blended teaching method we used at Iowa State University that drew from American Indian pedagogical approaches as well as methods traditional to the academy. I discussed the history of the teaching method and the theory informing the technique; briefly outlined some elements of American Indian pedagogy and the logistics of the class; and ended with some observations on the effectiveness of the technique. For this article, it is important to have an understanding of the course assignments. Students are required to write a fourto five-page paper about their family, community, and place and about their interest in and/or knowledge of the course topic and how it developed. Students are encouraged to talk with their family members in order to get material. The material from the paper is given in an oral presentation. Students are informed they will all receive an A for the oral presentation. The idea is to allow students to be the complete authority in the classroom when they do their respective
Topographical relationships among the monovalent cation binding sites of bovine plasma-activated protein C and des(1–41)-light-chain-activated bovine plasma protein C and a nitroxide spin label bound to their active site serine residues

The paramagnetic effect of a spin-labeled sulfonyl fluoride, 4-(2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidine-1-oxyl)-p-fluorosulfonylbenzamide (p-V), when bound to the active site serine residue of the proteases, bovine plasma-activated protein C (APC) and des(1–41)-light-chain-activated protein C (GDAPC), on the longitudinal relaxation rate (T1) of Tl+ bound to these same proteins has been examined by 205Tl+-NMR spectroscopy. The substantial shortening by bound p-V of the T1 for Tl+ has been employed to estimate the distances between Tl+ and the unpaired electron on each protein surface. Assuming that a single cation-binding site exists on each enzyme, electron-nuclear distances of 3.4–3.9 A have been calculated for each protein. This suggests that the removal of 41 amino acid residues and, concomitantly, all γ-carboxyglutamic acid, from the amino-terminal of the light chain of APC, does not significantly affect the protein topography in the region of the molecule probed by this technique.
Pediatric Emergency Medicine ECHO (Extension for Community Health Care Outcomes): Cultivating Connections to Improve Pediatric Emergency Care.

Background An Extension for Community Health Care Outcomes (ECHO) provides the opportunity for specialists at academic medical centers (AMCs) and frontline community generalists to engage in bidirectional learning. Specialists provide generalists with the current best evidence, and generalists share the local challenges applying this evidence to their practice. All ECHO participants strategize how to navigate these challenges together. Pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) may benefit from this knowledge translation strategy because most children seek emergency care from generalists in community emergency departments (CEDs) where variations in care between the AMC and the CED have been reported. Methods Our objective was to use ECHO to cultivate a PEM community of practice that facilitated knowledge translation and generated future CED pediatric improvement initiatives. As such, we developed, implemented, and evaluated a PEM ECHO. We conducted general and targeted needs assessments to inform our curriculum and formatted the sessions to generate bidirectional learning. A postparticipation evaluation collected self-reported perceptions about knowledge translation, planned provider practice changes, and perceptions of the formation of a community of practice. Additionally, we solicited information on the implementation of any pediatric improvement activities attributed to the PEM ECHO. Results Thirteen 1-hour sessions covered the chosen PEM topics. Participants represented diverse CEDs, with varied experience and roles in caring for children. All respondents (13/13) appreciated the ECHO learning format, reported improved PEM knowledge, and perceived the cultivation of a community of practice. Nine (85%) individuals attributed implementation of new pediatric improvement activities to the PEM ECHO. Conclusions Our PEM ECHO was associated with improved perceptions of PEM knowledge, cultivated a community of practice, and facilitated the implementation of CED pediatric improvement activities. The PEM ECHO's bidirectional learning format generated new initiatives and partnerships aiming to improve the emergency care of children.
Auto-Generation of Domain-Specific Systems: Cloud-Hosted DevOps for Business Users

The wide use of spreadsheet-based solutions for business processes illustrates the importance of giving business users simple mechanisms for specifying and managing their processes. However, spreadsheet-based solutions are hard to maintain, reuse, integrate, and scale. This paper describes an approach for supporting “DevOps for business users” that enables business-level users to manage the full lifecycle of a large class of cloud-hosted business processes. The approach builds on DevOps for software engineering, but removes software engineers from the loop. Unlike general-purpose “low code” business process management systems, the approach incorporates aspects of a processing domain (e.g., billing) to create a DevOps experience that business users can master easily. In the approach, business users follow an agile “specify-check-generate-deploy” methodology, enabling them to rapidly and iteratively generate and operationalize cloud-hosted processing systems, with little or no assistance from IT staff. We demonstrate and evaluate the approach using a system built for the billing application area, developed at IBM, which provides technology support and maintenance services for numerous clients, each with different billing needs and logic. The paper describes the system, requirements, empirical evaluation of key components, and lessons learned.
All Roads Lead To… Options and Variations in Acquiring Native Proficiency in Hungarian

This paper describes a case study conducted with a first generation American heritage learner of Hungarian in a college setting. We have found our study important for several reasons. The latest developments in technology made a variety of new learning environments available, which are used mostly by the new generation of language learners. As a result, instructors are expected to accommodate a variety of learning styles. Are there appropriate resources for the learners of Hungarian, including courses, instructors, textbooks and other learning material? Can they meet the needs of the different generations of language learners with evolving new learning styles?
A counterfactual analysis of the Argentinian monetary transformation in 2002

A hard peg restored economic stability in Argentina during the nineties but made it also vulnerable to real shocks in so far as the economy was highly dollarized. A devaluation in 1998 in Brasil, its main partner, damaged the Argentinian competitiveness and resulted in a fall in export demand. There was a need for a real adjustment but removing the peg would have implied large balance sheet effects and raised serious financial issues. This article endeavours to learn a lesson about the aftermath of hard peg regime from the Argentinian experience. It is based on a dynamic macroeconomic model to assess the impact of three scenarios, already suggested in the literature. Two hypothetical, a floating regime and dollarization and one which was actually implemented in 2002, the pesification of the whole economy. The simulations suggest that pesification was the only scenario with unambiguous expansionary effects.
Spiritual Experiences in Soulmate Relationships: Qualitative and Network Analysis of the Mystical Bond

Mysticism has so far been studied primarily at an individual level and often in the context of a religious tradition. However, one can and often does acquire strong spiritual experience in a mundan...
Managers’ Perceptions of Security Threats: The Case of Data Breaches

Organizations survive to the extent that they are able to provide adequate protection for their critical resources: personnel, information, and assets. Malicious actors including competitors, disgr...
Distress in Women with Ovarian Cancer

DISTRESS IN WOMEN WITH OVARIAN CANCER By Judith DellaRipa, PhD A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2014 Dissertation Chair: Victoria Menzies PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC Assistant Professor Adult Health and Nursing Systems Clinicians and researchers know that women experience distress related to the diagnosis of and treatment for ovarian cancer. A review of the literature revealed that while there is interest in the topic, distress is inconsistently defined and measured. Women have been reported to have a variety of distress experiences including the challenges of late diagnosis and the treatment regimen, communication difficulties with healthcare providers, and concern about the effect of their diagnosis on their loved ones. Without information directly from women, assumptions predominate about what the experience is like and what they would find helpful from support persons. Women’s perceptions about distress was identified as a gap in the knowledge leading to the present study which asked “What do women with ovarian cancer want their spouse/significant other, family, friends, and healthcare providers to know about their experience of distress during diagnosis and treatment?” A qualitative method, Grounded Theory as outlined by Glaser and Strauss in 1967 was chosen to guide this IRB approved study. Twelve women participated in audiotaped interviews contributing data for analysis using the constant comparative method. Six common themes or subcategories emerged across all the interviews and resulted in a conceptualization of the experience as an “existential assault.” Though individual experience differed, abstraction and conceptualization of the data revealed the common themes as (a) “out of the blue like lightning”; (b) “no stone left unturned”; (c)“knowing what I don’t want to know and not knowing what I want to know”; (d) “watching you, watching mewe are both afraid”; (e) “talking yet not talking, about death”; and (f) “now I have to take care of me.” Participants expressed the need for professional support people who contribute their efforts to cure, but who also listen to the participant’s need to manage and control their own experience and to live in ways that give their life meaning and purpose. The experience of distress for the participants was intensified by the needs of those in their social network (spouse/significant other, family, friends, and healthcare providers) who also experienced distress, at times requiring participants to provide support for those who would be expected to be providing support.
Promotion in the Heroin Market and Public Policy Issues

The illicit drug industry is perhaps one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States. Despite its geopolitical, economic, and social impact, little is known about the industry's marketing practices. This article examines the promotion mix of the heroin industry and discusses public policy issues which emerge from this examination.
Generalized asynchronous iterations

Asynchronous iterative methods for multiprocessors are generalized to relaxation techniques involving discrete variables. Asynchronous algorithms are more efficient than synchronized algorithms in multiprocessors because processes do not have to wait on each other at synchronization points. Sufficient conditions for the convergence of generalized asynchronous iterations are given and proved. Applications of the theory presented in this paper include asynchronous relaxation algorithms for scene labeling in image processing applications.
Comparative surfact structure of 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid of 30S ribosomes of procaryotic cells.

Abstract Ribonuclease T1 treatment of 30S ribosomes of Escherichia coli converts a large region at the 3′ OH end of 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) to low-molecular-weight RNA. The final 25 nucleotides at the 3′ terminus of the molecule emerge relatively intact, whereas most of the region “upstream,” for about 150 nucleotides, is converted to oligonucleotides. Identical enzyme treatment generates a fragment of about 60 nucleotides from the middle of 16S rRNA (section D′). To determine whether there are similar sequences in other bacteria, which occupy similar accessible surface locations, we treated 30S ribosomes from Azotobacter vinelandii and Bacillus stearothermophilus with RNase T1. In each case, a fragment of RNA about 25 nucleotides in length containing the 3′ OH end of 16S rRNA and a fragment of about 60 nucleotides in length similar, but not identical, in oligonucleotide composition to section D′ of E. coli 16S rRNA were obtained from nuclease-treated 30S ribosomes. These data indicate that, although the primary structure at the 3′ end and the middle (section D′) of the various 16S rRNA's is not completely conserved, their respective conformations are conserved. A number of identical oligonucleotides were found in the low-molecular-weight fraction obtained from RNase T1-treated E. coli, A. vinelandii, and B. stearothermophilus 30S ribosomes. These results show that identical RNase T1-sensitive sequences are present in all three bacteria. Hydrolysis of these regions leads to the production of the fragments 25 and 60 nucleotides in length.
The mechanochemical basis of amoeboid movement: II. Cytoplasmic filament stability at low divalent cation concentrations

Abstract The role played by Ca 2+ in the stability of cytoplasmic actin and myosin filaments was investigated ultrastructurally with negatively stained isolated cytoplasm from Chaos carolinensis . Cytoplasm was incubated in solutions containing 5, 10, 15 and 25 mM EGTA for periods of time varying from 2 to 20 min. As either the EGTA concentration or duration of incubation was increased, the extent of myosin and actin filament depolymerization increased. The actin filaments depolymerized except where they were stabilized by interaction with myosin. With longer incubation times or higher EGTA concentrations complete depolymerization of the actin filaments could be accomplished. Myosin aggregates also disassembled and became shorter, while monomeric myosin labelled adjacent thin filaments to form arrowhead complexes resembling myosin enriched actomyosin [1]. These actomyosin complexes were relatively stable at low Ca 2+ concentrations. In addition, the complexes showed a characteristic 35 nm periodicity and were dissociable in the presence of Mg 2+ -ATP. The actin containing filaments were more labile at low Ca 2+ concentrations than the myosin aggregates. These results suggest that in cells capable of regulating their Ca 2+ concentrations efficiently, filament polymerization-depolymerization could play a role in the control of cytoplasmic streaming.
Macrovascular decompression of the median nerve for posttraumatic neuralgic limb pain

Neuropathic pain is rare in children, and few reports provide adequate guidelines for treatment. The authors describe the successful treatment of tardy neuropathic pain via macrovascular decompression in a 15-year-old boy who presented with progressive pain 11 years following trauma to the upper extremity that had required surgical repair of the brachial artery. Examination revealed mild chronic median and ulnar motor neuropathy as well as recent progressive lancinating pain and a Tinel sign at the prior scar. A soft tissue mass in the neurovascular bundle at the site of previous injury was noted on MRI. Surgical exploration demonstrated an altered anatomical relationship of the previously repaired brachial artery and the median nerve, resulting in pulsatile compression of the median nerve by the brachial artery. Neurolysis and decompression of the median nerve with physical separation from the brachial artery resulted in immediate pain relief. This is the first report of macrovascular decompression of a ...
The Increasing Effectiveness of National Gender Quotas, 1990–2010

National gender quotas—policies that require a certain percentage of women candidates or legislators—are becoming more effective over time. Using data on 145 countries from 1990 to 2010, we document this trend with latent growth-curve models. Part of the explanation for increasing effectiveness is that countries have ratcheted up targets for women's inclusion and that quotas are increasingly written in ways that make them more effective at achieving stated goals. Activists, political elites, and policy makers have learned over time which quota policies are most effective, resulting in quotas with provisions that more often lead to success. But, changes in rules alone do not account for the increasing effectiveness of quotas over time. It appears that changing norms about women's incorporation in politics are also increasing quota effectiveness regardless of policy design.
A global perspective on adolescent pregnancy

Adolescent pregnancy is an international dilemma affecting not just the adolescent and her infant, but entire societies. Of almost 300 million female adolescents worldwide, 16 million give birth yearly, accounting for 11% of all births worldwide. The Millennium Development Goal # 5 incorporates reducing adolescent births worldwide. The purpose of this paper is a comprehensive critique of findings on a global perspective on adolescent pregnancy and evaluation of strategies to reduce this international concern. In Latin America and the Caribbean, unmet need for family planning made little change in 20 years. In Dutch and Scandinavian countries, there are national sex education programmes and family planning clinics run by nurse midwives with direct authority to prescribe contraceptives. In Japan, strong conservative norms exist about premarital sex. In the UK, a lack of consistent targeted sex education, delay in access to contraception and contraceptive use failure are associated with high teen pregnancy rates. In the United States, 750 000 teen pregnancies occur yearly, costing $9 billion per year. Health disparities exist: Whites had 11, Blacks had 32 and Hispanics had 41 per 1000 births. Programmes to reduce teen pregnancy should incorporate family, contraception and abstinence education, and sustained commitment of media, businesses, religious and civic organizations.
Assessing the sociology of sport: On cultural sensibilities and the great sport myth

On the 50th anniversary of the ISSA and IRSS, Jay Coakley, a foundational scholar in the development of the sociology of sport, reflects on the lasting power of the Great Sport Myth (GSM) to shape ...
Femtosecond laser drilling of high-aspect ratio microchannels in glass

A femtosecond laser is used to fabricate microchannels with high aspect ratios by laser direct ablation. Drilling both in air and in water is investigated. It is found that at low pulse energy, drilling in water can generate channels with high aspect ratios. However, at high pulse energy, water-assisted drilling stops working and only very shallow holes can be obtained. The reason for this is presented. On the contrary, the aspect ratio of holes drilled in air increases significantly at high pulse energy. The effects of writing speed and repeated fabrication are also investigated, and an optimum writing speed is determined for fixed laser parameters.
A Technical Efficiency Analysis of Hawaii's Aquaculture Industry

This study examines the technical efficiency (TE) of aquaculture farms in Hawaii. Policy makers and industry participants interested in assessing the economic outlook of aquaculture production not only have to assess measures of profitability and financial health, but also measures of production efficiency. We estimate the TE of the state's aquafarms with a data envelopment analysis (DEA) model. Using data from the US Census of Agriculture, we examine TE measures of the population of Hawaii's aquafarms across different types of farms and over time. The results show that only 12% of the farms in 2007 may be classified as efficient, with a steady decline in efficiency over time. We find TE was related to the size of farm, full-time farms were significantly more efficient than part-time farms and that the average excess real inputs for land and labor have slightly fallen over time. The sub-sector analysis revealed a strong variation of TE across different type of farms. With few farms operating on the frontier, the findings of this study suggest that the majority of the farms could improve their TE.
Infrared absorption features for tetrahedral ammonia ice crystals

An effort has been made to ascertain how particle shape and composition affect the strength and shape of resonant absorption features at 9.4 and 26 microns. A shifting of the peak of the resonance relative to that for spherical particles is noted in the computational results obtained for the extinction cross-sections of 0.5- and 1-micron, volume-equivalent radius tetrahedral NH3 ice crystals that either possessed or lacked foreign cores. It it judged unlikely that small, (less than 5-micron) NH3 particles could be the principal component of the haze in the 300-500 mbar region of Jupiter.
Variance Window Based Car License Plate Localization

In this paper, a new method for discovering the candidate car license plate locations is presented. First, the image is decomposed using a Haar wavelet to get the HL band with vertical edges. Then, the HL band image is binarized using an Otsu threshold. Next a black top-hat algorithm is applied to reduce the effects of interfering large continuous features other than the license plate. At this time, a moving window based modified variance score calculation is made for areas with white pixels. This work found that the top 3 detected rectangle windows correctly locate the license plate regions with a success rate of about 98.2%. Moreover, the proposed method is robust enough to locate the plates in cases where the rough vehicle position has not been previously discovered and the cars are not centered in the image.
An Explicit Representation of the Extended Skorokhod Map with Two Time-Dependent Boundaries

We consider the extended Skorokhod problem for real-valued cadlag functions with the constraining interval [ 𝛼 , 𝛽 ] , where 𝛼 and 𝛽 change in time as values of two cadlag functions. We find an explicit form of the solution and discuss its continuity properties with respect to the uniform, 𝐽 1 and 𝑀 1 , metrics on the space of cadlag functions. We develop a useful technique of extending known results for the Skorokhod maps onto the larger class of extended Skorokhod maps.
Visual outcomes of wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis in eyes with moderate or high myopia and compound myopic astigmatism.

Purpose To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and clinical outcomes of wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery for the treatment of moderate to high myopia and compound myopic astigmatism. Setting Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford, California, USA. Methods This retrospective study included patients with moderate (−6.0 to −8.0 diopters [D]) and high (greater than −8.00) myopia treated with wavefront-guided LASIK using the WaveScan linked to the CustomVue system (AMO USA, Inc.). Eyes were analyzed preoperatively and 1, 3, and 12 months postoperatively. Results The mean patient age was 38.4 years ± 7.14 (SD). Eighty-nine eyes of 45 patients were evaluated at 3 months and 50 eyes of 25 patients at 12 months. No eye was retreated during the study. The mean manifest refraction spherical equivalent was −8.10 ± 0.98 D (range −6.00 to −10.63 D) preoperatively and −0.33 ± 0.55 D (range −1.625 to 1.375 D) 12 months postoperatively. Ninety percent of the eyes were within ±1.00 D of the intended correction and 64.0%, within ±0.50 D. For all eyes, the safety index was 1.00 and the efficacy index, 1.18. Conclusion The data support the safety and efficacy of correcting moderate to high myopia and compound myopic astigmatism using wavefront-guided LASIK.
Brain-mediated antidiabetic, anorexic, and cardiovascular actions of leptin require melanocortin-4 receptor signaling

We previously demonstrated that leptin has powerful central nervous system (CNS)-mediated antidiabetic actions. In this study we tested the importance of melanocortin-4 receptors (MC4Rs) for leptin...
Atherogenic effects of Chlamydia pneumoniae: refuting the innocent bystander hypothesis.

Abstract Objective Serologic evidence of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and atherosclerosis was first demonstrated in patients with ischemic heart disease in 1988. Subsequently, the organism has been detected in several cardiovascular lesions. Outside of observational reports, few studies mechanistically link vascular infection with C. pneumoniae and atherogenesis. To better define its pathophysiologic role, we examined the influence of C. pneumoniae infection of human vascular smooth muscle cells on vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, cell-cycle protein expression, and inflammatory cytokine release. Methods Human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells were inoculated with C. pneumoniae in culture. Proliferation was assessed by mitochondrial activity, direct cell counting, and immunohistochemical staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Electromobility gel shift assays probed for the antiproliferative cell-cycle protein p53. Supernatants were assayed for the mitogens interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results After C. pneumoniae inoculation, vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation increased 2-fold by mitochondrial activity and more than 3-fold by cell numbers. C. pneumoniae infection promoted a 3-fold increase in proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression, which was associated with decreased nuclear binding of p53. Compared with control, C. pneumoniae inoculation resulted in a 2.5-fold increase in released interleukin-6 and interleukin-8. In each experiment, the influence of C. pneumoniae was abrogated by concomitant treatment with the macrolide antibiotic azithromycin. Conclusions C. pneumoniae induced human vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression, down-regulated p53, and promoted release of prototypical atherogenic cytokines. These in vitro findings indicate that C. pneumoniae is more than an innocent bystander, rather it is a pathophysiologic participant in atherogenesis warranting elimination.
Novel approach for orthotopic heart transplantation in visceroatrial situs inversus

Orthotopic heart transplantation was performed successfully in a 7-year-old girl with visceroatrial situs inversus. Creation of two autologous left-sided atrial tissue baffles tunneled the left superior vena cava and inferior vena cava to the right of the pulmonary veins. The reconstructed caval tunnels remain widely patent more than 4 years after transplantation. The ability of autologous tissue to grow with the patient has distinct advantages in the pediatric transplant population.
Neuroendocrine and neurophysiologic changes of adolescence.

Abstract This paper reviews the changes of adolescence that affect neuroendocrine and neurophysiologic functions. Normal variability in onset and progression of pubertal stages is discussed. The effects of hypothalamic and pituitary maturation and resulting changes in circulating hormone levels at the onset of secondary sexual characteristics are reviewed. Several theories and research data regarding the causes of the onset of puberty are identified. Abnormal symptoms of pubertal development are reviewed, and suggestions made for the Cleft Palate-Craniofacial team to monitor these symptoms.
New static and dynamic stiffness testers

Instruments have been developed for the testing of stiffness of polymers in various gaseous environmental “atmospheres” over a large range of temperatures. They are based on the cantilever principle, where a small strip of a specimen is deflected statically or periodically. Changes in stiffness are measured as function of the bending force or power input, respectively. The dynamic instrument responds very sensitively to the onset of cracking in specimens due to ozone exposure. The static instrument is well suited for measuring the onset of rapidly increasing stiffness as temperatures are lowered.
Thermodynamics of a stable yeast 5.8S rRNA hairpin helix

The 5. 8S ribosomal RNA of bakers yeast contains one particularly stable hairpin helix which is isolated by partial T1 ribonuclease digestion. Thermal hyperchromism analysis of the hairpin fragment showed that it dissociates cooperatively with 18% hyperchromism, with a Tm of 83 degree C at 2.7 mM sodium ion concentration, and with a hyperchromic difference spectrum indicative of over 90% G + C content. The probable secondary structure for the fragment was used to predict a helix free energy, delta G = -16.2 kcal/mole, which was the same as that determined from the melting equilibrium. The predicted enthalpy however, was 77% of the value, delta H = -114 kcal/mole, determined from the van't Hoff relationship. The effect on these data of a G.U base pair within the 9 base pair helix is discussed.
The interaction of supersaturated calcium phosphate solutions with apatitic substrates

Thein vitro formation of calcium phosphates from supersaturated solutions seeded with apatite was examined. Reaction kinetics were followed by monitoring solution Ca, Mg, and PO4. Seeds and reaction products were examined chemically and by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. Under conditions where amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) normally precipitates spontaneously, apatite reduced the amount of free ACP formed with a considerable fraction of the Ca and PO4 initially removed from solution depositing directly onto the seeds. At sufficiently great seed concentrations all initial solution losses occurred by this latter route with no free ACP precipitating. These initial events were followed by seed-induced formation of new apatite crystals accompanied by further losses in solution Ca and PO4. Supersaturated solutions stable to spontaneous ACP formation underwent similar losses in solution Ca and PO4 when seeded with apatite. Initial decrease in these ions was instantaneous and proportional to the seed concentration. Subsequent ion removal exponentially decreased with time and correlated with the formation of new apatite crystals overlaying the original seeds. In seeding experiments using physiologically-balanced salt solutions, the initial deposit formed on the seed surface was a magnesium stabilized calcium carbonate phosphate phase. This stable surface phase did not prevent the secondary crystallization of apatite from occurring.
Nonlinear Optical Effects In Langmuir-Blodgett Films

Molecular assemblies prepared by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique provide useful structures to probe structure-property relationships for nonlinear optical processes. In this paper we present selected results of a comprehensive research program in which we study the Langmuir-Blodgett films of optically nonlinear organic structures. The films are carefully characterized by a variety of surface and spectroscopic techniques. Both second and third order processes have been investigated. A detailed study of third-order resonant nonlinearity in a Si-phthalocyanine using femtosecond degenerate four wave mixing is presented. Using a new approach of simultaneously monitoring signals corresponding to first and second order diffractions and their power dependence, important information on excitation dynamics is derived. The theoretical analysis shows that both first order and bimolecular exciton-exciton annihilation processes in the studied Si-phthalocyanine contribute to the decay of resonant third-order optical nonlinearity.
Sources of the Factor Which Lowers the Arginine Level in a Casein Diet

ABSTRACT WIETLAKE et al. (1954) reported a growth response, improved feathering, and elimination of an abnormal gait by adding arginine to a methionine supplemented 35 percent casein diet. Wietlake et al. (1954) and Savage et al. (1955) concluded that purified diets containing 25 percent casein, 10 percent gelatin, and methionine were partially inadequate as a source of protein for young chicks. Snyder et al. (1954) found a steady increase in growth up to an arginine level of 1.67 percent arginine in a 22 percent casein diet. Addition of arginine to a corn-soybean oil meal diet did not result in a significant growth response. Snyder et al. (1956) found a diet composed of 18 percent casein and 10 percent gelatin to be deficient in arginine. A total of 1.73 percent arginine was needed for maximal growth in a casein diet. A practical corn-soybean oil meal diet, calculated to contain 1.11 percent arginine . . .
Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein-1 Promotes β1 Integrin Maturation and Transport to the Cell Surface

Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP-1) mediates the endocytosis of multiple plasma membrane proteins and thereby models the composition of the cell surface. LRP-1 also functions as a catabolic receptor for fibronectin, limiting fibronectin accumulation in association with cells. The goal of the present study was to determine whether LRP-1 regulates cell surface levels of the β1 integrin subunit. We hypothesized that LRP-1 may down-regulate cell surface β1 by promoting its internalization; however, unexpectedly, LRP-1 expression was associated with a substantial increase in cell surface β1 integrin in two separate cell lines, murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and CHO cells. The total amount of β1 integrin was unchanged because LRP-1-deficient cells retained increased amounts of β1 in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Expression of human LRP-1 in LRP-1-deficient MEFs reversed the shift in subcellular β1 integrin distribution. Metabolic labeling experiments demonstrated that the precursor form of newly synthesized β1 integrin (p105) is converted into mature β1 (p125) more slowly in LRP-1-deficient cells. Although low levels of cell surface β1 integrin, in LRP-1-deficient MEFs, were associated with decreased adhesion to fibronectin, the subcellular distribution of β1 integrin was most profoundly dependent on LRP-1 only after the cell cultures became confluent. A mutagen-treated CHO cell line, in which LRP-1 is expressed but retained in the secretory pathway, also demonstrated nearly complete ER retention of β1 integrin. These studies support a model in which LRP-1 either directly or indirectly promotes maturation of β1 integrin precursor and thereby increases the level of β1 integrin at the cell surface.