cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Affective circuitry and risk for alcoholism in late adolescence: differences in frontostriatal responses between vulnerable and resilient children of alcoholic parents

Background: Children of alcoholics (COAs) are at elevated risk for alcohol use disorders (AUD), yet not all COAs will develop AUD. The 2 primary aims of this study were to identify neural activation mechanisms that may mark protection or vulnerability to AUD in COAs and to map the same activation patterns in relation to risk behavior (externalizing or internalizing behavior). Methods: Twenty-two adolescent COAs were recruited from an ongoing community longitudinal study of alcoholic and matched control families. They were categorized as either vulnerable (n = 11) or resilient (n = 11) based on the level of problem drinking over the course of adolescence. Six other adolescents with no parental history of alcoholism, and no evidence of their own problem drinking were recruited from the same study and labeled as low-risk controls. Valenced words were presented to the participants in a passive viewing task during functional magnetic resonance imaging. Activation to negative versus neutral words and positive versus neutral words were compared between groups. Behavior problems were assessed with the Youth Self-Report (YSR). Results: The resilient COA group had more activation of the orbital frontal gyrus (OFG), bilaterally, and left insula ⁄ putamen than the control and vulnerable groups, in response to emotional stimuli. In contrast, the vulnerable group had more activation of the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex and less activation of the ventral striatum and extended amygdala, bilaterally, to emotional stimuli than the control and resilient groups. The vulnerable group had more externalizing behaviors which correlated with increased dorsomedial prefrontal activation and decreased ventral striatal and extended amygdala activation. Conclusions: These results are consistent with dissociable patterns of neural activation underlying risk and resiliency in COAs. We propose that the pattern observed in the resilient COAs represents an active emotional monitoring function, which may be a protective factor in this group. On the other hand, the vulnerable group displayed a pattern consistent with active suppression of affective responses, perhaps resulting in the inability to engage adaptively with emotional stimuli.
Memory availability and judged frequency of affect

This paper reports a test of the hypothesis that individuals utilize the decisionmaking heuristic of availability when they judged the frequency with which they experience various affective states. College students categorized as dysphoric and nondysphoric on the basis of the Beck Depression Inventory judged the frequency with which they experienced each of 20 affects, 10 positive and 10 negative. In the present study, availability was indexed by response time in a memory task in which subjects were asked to recall a personal (autobiographical) memory that they associated with each of the same 20 affective terms. For both groups, availability (response time) was strongly correlated with judged frequency. The groups did differ in their average response time to positive and negative emotions, which suggests that with some refinement the memory task may serve a useful diagnostic function.
Archaeal Elp3 catalyzes tRNA wobble uridine modification at C5 via a radical mechanism

The eukaryotic Elongator complex has been assigned multiple roles in transcription and tRNA modification. In archaea, the Elp3 component is a radical SAM enzyme that catalyzes the carboxymethylation of uridine in the wobble position of tRNA.
Davidson: Normativist or Anti-normativist?

This paper contests the standard reading, due to Bilgrami and Gluer, that Davidson is an anti-normativist about word-meaning. Their case for his anti-normativism rests on his avowed anti-conventionalism about word-meaning. While not denying Davidson’s anti-conventionalism, I argue in the central part of the paper devoted to Bilgrami that the constitutive role that charity must play in interpretation for Davidson puts pressure on his anti-conventionalism, ultimately forcing a more tempered anti-conventionalism than Bilgrami (and indeed Davidson himself) allows. Simply put, my argument is that two central doctrines of Davidson’s—constitutive charity and anti-conventionalism—do not sit easily together in the project of interpreting speakers of our home language and that if they are to be made compatible, it is his anti-conventionalism that gets weakened. This ushers a certain meaning normativism into Davidson’s view. To strengthen my case for reading Davidson as a normativist about word-meaning, I respond to two important arguments against his alleged normativism: first, that meaning normativity is incompatible with the truism that the relation between a word and its meaning is arbitrary (Gluer) and, second, that constitutive charity far from ushering in meaning normativity is incompatible with it (Gluer and Wikforss).
Accurate method for measuring arterial pulse wave velocity by cardiovascular magnetic resonance

Summary A modified version of the flow-area (QA) method for measuring pulse wave velocity (PWV) from CMR images is introduced. The new ‘flow-time-area’ (QTA) method is more robust to errors in area measurements than the QA method, which is mathematically proved and demonstrated in pulmonary hypertension study. PWV was correlated to measurements from catheterization, echo, and CMR. The effect of image resolution, inter-, and intra-observer variabilities were studied. The results showed superiority of the QTA method over QA method.
Double-lumen carotid plaque: A morbid configuration

During analysis of carotid plaque anatomy for a multicenter carotid imaging trial, we examined plaque specimens from 5 patients with double internal carotid artery lumina. Four of the 5 patients had symptoms referable to the lesion. The second lumen was noted when the plaque specimens were examined ex vivo with high-resolution (200 microm(3)) magnetic resonance imaging. Plaque structure was correctly identified in only 1 patient preoperatively. However, during retrospective review of the preoperative imaging studies, the second internal carotid artery lumen was identified in 3 patients.
Quantification of small amounts of hemoglobin in polyacrylamide gels with benzidine.

Abstract Benzidine-hydrogen peroxide is a sensitive blood stain. Since benzidine is carcinogenic, less hazardous substitutes have been sought which retain the specificity and sensitivity of benzidine. We have tested two benzidine derivatives, 3,3′-dimethoxybenzidine and 3,3′, 5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine, reported to be satisfactory substitutes, but have found both to be unsatisfactory for quantifying small amounts of hemoglobin (Hb) on polyacrylamide gels. However, our data show that benzidine stains gels with an intensity proportional to the amount of Hb present when the staining time and temperature are controlled. The stain is fast, sensitive, and specific for Hb, gives very little background stain, and is stable if the gels are thoroughly rinsed and stored in distilled-deionized water. The relative amounts of Hb in different bands or different gels may be quantified later by densitometry. Procedures are suggested for using benzidine while giving adequate attention to governing regulations and personnel safety.
TH-E-218-07: Sensitivity of Cumulative Dose Distributions to Deformable Image Registration Uncertainties Associated with Tumor Regression Dynamics

Purpose: To demonstrate the sensitivity of cumulative dose distributions to deformable image registration (DIR) uncertainties associated with tumor regression dynamics. Methods: For 9 patients receiving definitive radiation therapy, structures are delineated by a qualified physician on 4–7 weekly helical CTs acquired during the course of radiotherapy. Plans based on 3 different margins (7mm sup/inf, 5mm axial; 3mm sup/inf, 2mm axial; 0mm expansions of clinical target volume) are generated using planning criteria specified in RTOG protocol 0839. Dose calculated on weekly images is accumulated to the planning data‐set using a surface‐based deformable image registration algorithm driven by two distinct contour sets; each simulating a presumed extreme of regression dynamics: (1) simulates a scenario where displaced tissue tracks a regressing gross tumor volume (GTV) border; (2) assumes infiltrative disease where surrounding tissue remains fixed as visible tumor regresses. Volume of ipsilateral lung receiving at least 20 Gy (V20) and dose to 95% of the planning target volume (D95 PTV) for each regression‐scenario and margin are compared. GTV regression is also reported. Results: Mean percent decrease in GTV for the population is 40.7% (5.2–80.5%). Changes in lung V20 resulting from assumed regression dynamics are < 3% (0.3–2.9%) for all patients and margins. 7 of 9 patients exhibit < 3% differences (0.4–2.6%) in D95 PTV for all margins. An average change of 52.2% (50.7–54.2%) and 5.4% (4.6–6.3%) in D95 PTV for all margins is observed for the remaining 2 patients respectively. The patient with the greatest change in D95 PTV also exhibited a large amount of tumor‐volume regression (80.5%). Conclusions: For 3D conformal plans, V20 of ipsilateral lung and D95 PTV are relatively insensitive to DIR deviations associated with regression dynamics. However, deviations in D95 PTV can be large in the presence of large regression. PO1CAR01CA116249
Preservice teachers’ thinking within a research-based framework: what informs decisions?

A research-based framework for teaching science is a heuristic tool used to help preservice teachers conceptualize many complexities of teaching while making explicit the strategy to use a research-based body of professional knowledge to inform instructional decision-making (Clough, 2003, Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association for the Education of Teachers in Science, St. Louis, MO). Elementary preservice teachers frequently struggle to apply this knowledge to classroom decisions (Madsen, 2002, Paper presented at the annual meeting of the North Central Association for the Education of Teachers of Science, Bettendorf, IA). This study examined the effects of using a video case-analysis within an elementary science methods course focused on the development of a research-based framework. Students in two course sections completed a unit plan, and students in one section completed the video analysis. Video analysis students’ performance on an oral defense with the instructor was compared with oral defense performance from students in the unit plan group. Video analysis students outperformed their peers on questions related to how learning theories influence decisions of selecting content, explaining the use of questioning, and the use of self assessment strategies. Despite these differences, students in both groups still perceive teaching as primarily accomplished through activities and have difficulties understanding the critical role of the teacher in promoting student goals. This study raises issues regarding teachers’ knowledge development during preservice experiences.
My Child Is Diagnosed with Asthma, Now What?: Motivating Parents to Help Their Children Control Asthma.

Pediatric asthma is often undiagnosed, and therefore untreated. It negatively impacts children's functioning, including school attendance and performance, as well as quality of life. Schoolwide screening for asthma is becoming increasingly common, making identification of possible asthma particularly relevant for school nurses. Nurses may need to help parents cope with the new diagnosis, and teach them skills to manage the illness. The aim of this article is to present a three-phase model of how parents cope with a newly diagnosed pediatric chronic illness. Using asthma as an example, we describe these phases (Emotional Crisis, Facing Reality, and Reclaiming Life), illustrate how parents progress through the phases, and discuss situations associated with possible regression. Next, we offer strategies framed around a theory of asthma self-management to assist school nurses and other medical providers to motivate parents to develop successful disease management skills.
Assessment of complement cleavage in gingival fluid in humans with and without periodontal disease.

The activation of the complement system may be an important immunopathologic mechanism in the initiation and progression of periodontal disease. The purpose of this study was to assess cleavage of complement components C3 (terminal pathway), C4 (classical pathway) and B (alternative pathway) in gingival fluid obtained from patients with varying types and severities of periodontal disease. Gingival fluid samples were obtained on filter paper strips from 18 healthy sites, 16 gingivitis, 59 chronic adult periodontitis, 45 rapidly progressive periodontitis, and 11 juvenile periodontitis lesions. Each patient was categorized on the basis of age and clinical indices, including Gingival Index, Plaque Index, measurement of pocket depth and loss of periodontal attachment in millimeters, presence of suppuration and bleeding on probing. Cleavage of C3, C4, and B from each site was assessed simultaneously by multilayer crossedimmunoelectrophoresis using solid phase absorbed specific antisera. The mean percentage C3 conversion ranged from a low of 12.6% in the healthy to 90.2% in the juvenile periodontitis group. Statistically significant differences, as determined by the Mann-Whitney U-Test, were observed between healthy sites and all other groups, gingivitis and all periodontitis groups, and juvenile vs. chronic periodontitis. C4 was present in all sites examined, but its cleavage product C4c was only observed in sites with juvenile periodontitis. B and its cleavage product Bb were consistently present in gingival fluid from inflamed lesions. The percentage of C3 cleaved to C3c correlated significantly (p < 0.001) with pocket depth (rho=0.58), gingivitis (rho=0.68) and bleeding on probing (rho=0.63). These results suggest that 1) increased complement cleavage is associated with increased severity of inflammation and periodontal destruction, and 2) classical pathway activation does not appear to occur in gingivitis and adult periodontitis, but may occur in juvenile periodontitis.
The Doctrine of Double Effect and Affirmative Action

ABSTRACT William Cooney has recently argued (The Journal of Applied Philosophy, Vol. 6, pp. 201–204) that the social programme of affirmative action, though controversial, can be supported by the doctrine of double effect in that, according to the doctrine, responsibility falls on the side of intended consequences and not on that of unintended consequences. The point of affirmative action is to include certain disadvantaged groups; it is not to exclude other groups, though this is an inevitable and foreseeable by-product. In this article I contend that Cooney's argument ignores two important conditions of the doctrine of double effect; namely, that the good which results from the intended effect must be at least commensurate with the harm that results from the unintended effect; and, that the intended good effect is causally separate from the unintended harmful effect. Any use of the doctrine which neglects these conditions leads to morally problematic cases. Further, once we take the conditions into account, we have good reason to think that the doctrine of double effect has no relevance to the affirmative action debate.
Improving power utility performance in developing countries

Abstract Production capacity of publicly owned power utilities in developing countries has increased rapidly but their average performance declined substantially, in spite of strong efforts to the contrary by the outside financing agencies supporting them. A recently completed study of power plants in 17 countries has concluded that the key elements causing this poor performance are institutional, rather than technical. There is a lack of clear objectives for the utilities, a lack of autonomy of management, gross interference by governments in staffing and day-to-day operational decisions, insufficient tariff levels, poor revenue collection and lack of access to foreign exchange. These issues must be addressed first if lasting improvements in performance are to be brought about.
Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers of long-chain NBD derivatives on silver island films: Well-organized probe layer for the metal-enhanced fluorescence studies.

The metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) from the well-organized monolayers of two newly prepared long-chain alkylamine derivatives of nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD-C16 and NBD-C18) deposited on silver island films (SIFs) has been investigated. The NBD derivatives were conveniently prepared by using a single step procedure in quantitative yields. The monolayers of the probes on SIFs as well as on bare-glass slides were obtained by using the Langmuir−Blodgett (LB) technique. Orientation of the NBD probe molecule in LB monolayer film was measured with polarized absorption spectroscopy. The observed tilt angle of the probe transition dipole moment with respect to the surface normal of ∼67−68° was evaluated. We observed that the NBD monolayers deposited in close proximity to silver islands show about a 16-fold increase in fluorescence intensity and shortened fluorescence lifetime compared to those on bare-glass, which are due to metal enhanced fluorescence. On the other hand, the corresponding MEF from randomly orien...
High-speed large-area surface-normal multiple quantum well modulators

Since 1998, the Naval Research Laboratory has been developing modulating retro-reflectors (MRR) for free-space optical (FSO) communication links. Using an MRR is beneficial for asymmetric links containing one node with weight or power constraints, such as ground-to-air links. An MRR configuration shifts most of the power, weight, and pointing requirements onto one node. To close an MRR link at any significant distance, the area of the modulator must be fairly large. Using a large area limits the data rate, since capacitance is proportional to area. Resistance also depends on device size, although not in the same manner. To increase the data rate, we designed a top metal contact that diminishes the effect of the semiconductor resistivity. Using this new top contact design decreases the rise time from approximately 2.6 μs to 60 ns using the same wafer structure. However, increasing the data rate increases the power input and results in self-heating, which changes the optimal operating wavelength of MQW modulators. Accordingly, a new coupled quantum well structure is designed. The new design lowers the required drive voltage, which in turn lowers the power consumption, increases yield, and simplifies drive circuitry. The lower power input also reduces the modulation rate dependence of the wavelength.
Will Disclosure of Friendship Ties between Directors and CEOs Yield Perverse Effects

ABSTRACT: Our paper examines three related questions: Will directors who have friendship ties with the CEO manage earnings to benefit the CEO in the short term while potentially sacrificing the welfare of the company in the long term? Will public disclosure of friendship ties mitigate or exacerbate such behavior, and will disclosure of friendship ties influence investors' perceptions of director decisions? We conduct an experiment involving 56 active and experienced corporate directors from U.S. firms and a second experiment with M.B.A. students. We find that friendship ties caused directors to be more willing to approve reductions to research and development (R&D) expenses that cause earnings to rise enough to meet the CEO's minimum bonus target more often than when the directors and CEO were not friends. However, disclosing friendship ties resulted in even greater reductions in R&D expenses and higher CEO bonuses than not disclosing friendship ties. In a second experiment, we find that shareholders were...
Collection efficiency of cyclone separators

Based on terLinden's (A. J. terLinden, “Investigations into Cyclone Dust Collectors,” IME Proc., 160, 233, 1949) experimental observations, a three-region model is proposed for the fluid flow in a cyclone. Within each region, turbulence is assumed to promote mixing of the suspended particles. Incorporation of this mixing concept into the three-region model allows an analytic expression for the collection efficiency of the cyclone to be developed. The theoretical result is compared with data obtained in the high temperature, high pressure exhaust from a pressurized fluidized bed combustor.
Two-Phase Flow Simulation of Mist Film Cooling on Turbine Blades With Conjugate Internal Cooling

Effective cooling of gas turbine combustor liners, combustor transition pieces, turbine vanes (nozzles), and blades (buckets) is a critical task to protect these components from the flue gas at extremely high temperature. Air film cooling has been successfully used to cool these hot sections for the past half century. However, the net benefits from the traditional methods seem to be incremental, but the temperature of working gas is continuously increasing to achieve high thermal efficiency. Therefore, new cooling techniques need to be developed. One of the promising techniques is to enhance film cooling with mist injection. While the previous study reported the effect of mist on the cooling effectiveness with an adiabatic wall, this paper focuses on the effect of mist injection on heat transfer of film cooling with a nonadiabatic flat wall, using the commercial computational fluid dynamics software package FLUENT. Both 2D and 3D cases are considered with a 2D slot and diffusive compound-angle holes. Modeling of the interaction of a droplet with a uniformly cooled wall as well as conjugate heat conduction inside the solid base are conducted. Different mist droplet sizes and mist concentrations are adopted. Conditions both in a gas turbine operating environment (15 atm and 1561 K) and in a laboratory environment (1 atm and 450 K) are considered. Results show that injecting 2-10% mist reduces the heat transfer coefficient and the wall temperature. Especially, mist has the prolonged effect of cooling the region downstream for 15 jet hole diameters, where conventional air film cooling is not effective.
Gemeinschaft, Inner Creation, and Role-Taking (Empathy): III. Charles Horton Cooley on “Social” vs “Spatial” (“Material”) Knowledge:

This paper is the third of a series intended to relate Ferdinand Toennies' distinction between Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft (and all comparable distinctions in social theory) to the difference between (1) intuitional and inferential role-taking (empathy), (2) Erlebnis and Erfahrung experience, and (3) Rorschachian inner creation (movement repsonses) and Rorschachian rationality (form responses). The paper interprets Charles Horton Cooley's concepts of “social” knowledge (or sympathy-as-communion) and “spatial” (“material”) knowledge as intuitional and inferential, respectively. It therefore clusters “social” knowledge with Gemeinschaft, Erlebnis, and inner creation; and “spatial” knowledge with Gesellschaft, Erfahrung, and rationality. The paper treats also of George Herbert Mead's concept of “attitude-taking.” It considers Mead to have confounded intuition and inference, with the result that contemporary Meadians may mean qualitatively different psychological processes when they speak of “role-taking” o...
Patterns of immune response to a vaccine or virus as measured by intracellular cytokine staining in flow cytometry: hypothesis generation and comparison of groups.

Candidate HIV vaccines must show an immune response in order to be considered for further testing and development. What constitutes a “response,” however, is still not clear. While the hunt for a protective vaccine continues, hypotheses are being formed by studying the immune responses across cohorts of people with differing responses to the infection, as well as the immune responses formed by healthy people to other viruses, ones that are generally common and well controlled. Here we examine the functional profile of the immune responses of a group of HIV + long-term non-progressors as measured by intracellular cytokine staining using polychromatic flow cytometry, and compare these responses to those of a larger group of other HIV + people. We describe some of the types of patterns in immune response that are of interest to vaccine researchers, and compare several statistical tests appropriate for this type of data.
MEDICAL VERSUS SURGICAL ANDROGEN SUPRESSION THERAPY FOR PROSTATE CANCER: A 10-YEAR LONGITUDINAL COST STUDY

Purpose: We provide a relative cost comparison of medical versus surgical androgen suppressive therapy for prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: Comparison is based on a cohort of 96 patients who began androgen suppressive therapy for prostate cancer between 1988 and 1990. Patients were followed until death or the end point of study in June 2000 at which time 15% were alive. Current Medicare orchiectomy reimbursements were compared to 1999 wholesale drug costs.Results: For an individual patient the cost of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonist treatment surpassed the cost of surgery at less than 4.2 to 5.3 months, and for combined androgen blockade (LH-RH agonists and nonsteroidal antiandrogens) at less than 2.7 to 3.4 months. For 5 (5.2%) patients on combined androgen blockade and 6 (6.3%) on LH-RH agonists alone, medical therapy would have had a cost advantage over bilateral orchiectomy. For the androgen suppression cohort the cost of LH-RH agonist treatment was 10.7 to 13.5 times and c...
Tracking hantavirus nucleocapsid protein using intracellular antibodies.

Background Hantavirus nucleocapsid (N) protein is a multifunctional viral macromolecule involved in multiple stages of the viral replication cycle. The intracellular trafficking of N protein during virus assembly remains unclear.
The Effects of Full and Alternative Day Block Scheduling on Language Arts and Science Achievement in a Junior High School

The effects of a full (4 X 4) block scheduling program and an alternate day (AB) block scheduling program in a junior high school were under investigation in this study through the use of an ex post facto, matched sampling design. Measures investigated were standardized achievement tests in science and language arts. Both forms of block scheduling had been in place for several years, and one teacher in science and one teacher in language arts had taught students under both forms of scheduling. Because the sampling designs and analyses were different for the science and the language arts areas, two studies are reported here—each examining the effects of 4 x 4, AB, and traditional scheduling with attribute variables of gender and student skill levels in each analysis. Results consistently show students in both forms of block scheduling outperforming students in traditional scheduling, and that AB block scheduling has the largest positive impact on low-achieving students.
Inhibition of secreted frizzled-related protein 5 improves glucose metabolism

Elucidating the role of secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (SFRP5) in metabolism and obesity has been complicated by contradictory findings when knockout mice were used to determine metabolic phenotypes. By overexpressing SFRP5 in obese, prediabetic mice we consistently observed elevated hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance, supporting SFRP5 as a negative regulator of glucose metabolism. Accordingly, Sfrp5 mRNA expression analysis of both epididymal and subcutaneous adipose depots of mice indicated a correlation with obesity. Thus, we generated a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against SFRP5 to ascertain the effect of SFRP5 inhibition in vivo. Congruent with SFRP5 overexpression worsening blood glucose levels and glucose intolerance, anti-SFRP5 mAb therapy improved these phenotypes in vivo. The results from both the overexpression and mAb inhibition studies suggest a role for SFRP5 in glucose metabolism and pancreatic β-cell function and thus establish the use of an anti-SFRP5 mAb as a potential approach to treat type 2 diabetes.
EFFECT OF ACQUISITION RATES ON OFF-TASK BEHAVIOR WITH CHILDREN IDENTIFIED AS HAVING LEARNING DISABILITIES

Research has consistently demonstrated the impor- tance of providing an appropriate level of challenge, called the instructional level, within curricular material. Although the instructional level is a generally well-defined and researched con- struct, much less data exist on the acquisition rate (AR) compo- nent of an appropriate level of challenge. The current study used curriculum-based assessment to assess the AR of five fourth-grade students diagnosed with a reading disability and taught each 20 words from the Esperanto International Language over two sessions (10 each session). Students were observed during instruc- tion, and the number of demonstrated off-task behaviors was con- verted to a mean rate of off-task behaviors/minute. Comparison of pre- and post-AR data showed that each student demonstrated an increase in off-task behaviors while rehearsing the word that immediately exceeded his or her AR. Implications for practice and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Techniques for Using MODIS Data to Remotely Sense Lake Water Surface Temperatures

AbstractThis study describes a stepwise methodology used to provide daily high-spatial-resolution water surface temperatures from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite data for use nearly in real time for the Great Salt Lake (GSL). Land surface temperature (LST) is obtained each day and then goes through the following series of steps: land masking, quality control based on other concurrent datasets, bias correction, quality control based on LSTs from recent overpasses, temporal compositing, spatial hole filling, and spatial smoothing. Although the techniques described herein were calibrated for use on the GSL, they can also be applied to any other inland body of water large enough to be resolved by MODIS, as long as several months of in situ water temperature observations are available for calibration. For each of the buoy verification datasets, these techniques resulted in mean absolute errors for the final MODIS product that were at least 62% more accurate than those from the o...
Institutional Explanations for the Decline of the Congregação Cristã no Brasil

For the first time since its inception, the Congregacao Crista no Brasil (CCB) has lost members – two hundred thousand members in the last decade – while other traditional Pentecostal churches’ membership continue to grow. Based on survey research data, this study explores the diverse views of church members and how institutional factors affect the growth of the church. Two opposing views among church members are identified: fundamentalism and progressivism. Besides providing empirical data, this work engages a wider debate on how the strict nature of the CCB leadership, based on a traditional authoritarian model, is unwilling to adapt to cultural and social changes, giving rise to discontent, tensions, and schisms.
Rotation recovery from spherical images without correspondences

This paper addresses the problem of rotation estimation directly from images defined on the sphere and without correspondence. The method is particularly useful for the alignment of large rotations and has potential impact on 3D shape alignment. The foundation of the method lies in the fact that the spherical harmonic coefficients undergo a unitary mapping when the original image is rotated. The correlation between two images is a function of rotations and we show that it has an SO(3)-Fourier transform equal to the pointwise product of spherical harmonic coefficients of the original images. The resolution of the rotation space depends on the bandwidth we choose for the harmonic expansion and the rotation estimate is found through a direct search in this 3D discretized space. A refinement of the rotation estimate can be obtained from the conservation of harmonic coefficients in the rotational shift theorem. A novel decoupling of the shift theorem with respect to the Euler angles is presented and exploited in an iterative scheme to refine the initial rotation estimates. Experiments show the suitability of the method for large rotations and the dependence of the method on bandwidth and the choice of the spherical harmonic coefficients
Normality of distributions and homogeneity of variance of heart rate and heart period samples.

One consideration in choosing between the measures, heart period and heart rate, is how well they meet the assumptions of statistical models. A review of previous findings and new data suggests that, with adult subjects, there is little basis for preferring one measure to the other but, with infant subjects, rate has the advantage of being more nearly normally distributed and more homogeneous in variance. Other considerations, briefly discussed, are the nature of measurement error and whether a cardiac or real time base is to be used.
Kozak sequence polymorphism of the glycoprotein (GP) Ibα gene is a major determinant of the plasma membrane levels of the platelet GP Ib-IX-V complex

Despite the known importance of the sequences surrounding ATG start codons (Kozak sequences) for efficient translation of proteins, few reports have appeared that describe the natural variations in these sequences. Here, we report a human polymorphism in the Kozak sequence of the platelet adhesion receptor, glycoprotein (GP) Ibalpha, a component of the GP Ib-IX-V complex, which mediates the initial adhesion of platelets to the blood vessel wall following injury. The polymorphism is based on the presence of either thymine (T) or cytosine (C) at position -5 from the initiator ATG in the GP Ibalpha gene. The less common allele, -5C, represented 8% to 17% of the alleles in four ethnic populations surveyed. This allele more closely resembles the sequence considered optimal for efficient initiation of protein translation and is associated with increased expression of the receptor on the cell membrane, both in transfected cells and in the platelets of individuals carrying the allele. In vitro transcription/translation studies indicate that the increased expression results from more efficient translation of the -5C form of the GP Ibalpha mRNA. Other mutations made to approximate more closely the consensus sequence described by Kozak did not increase expression of the receptor. This is the first known description of Kozak sequence polymorphism as a determinant of the surface levels of a cell adhesion receptor. This polymorphism may influence an individual's susceptibility for the development of cardiovascular disease.
Seeded growth induced amorphous to crystalline transformation of niobium oxide nanostructures

A novel high-temperature synthesis of niobium oxide nanostructures has been developed through an amorphous intermediate that crystallizes into anisotropic crystalline structures through a complex mechanism of nucleation–dissolution–selective growth induced by seeded growth. The amorphous materials formed by the thermolysis of niobium oleate transformed into crystalline platelets, wires or bundled wires after the injection of additional niobium oleate at different temperatures. The temperature of the solution during injection of the additional precursor determined the morphology of the formed crystalline structure. The time- and temperature-dependent evolution of the niobium oxide nanostructures demonstrates that amorphous materials progressively turned to crystalline materials. We tuned the size of wires and platelets by the consecutive injection of the precursor solution into the reaction mixture under isothermal conditions. With the sequential injection of the precursor solution, we demonstrate that the anisotropic growth of individual nanowires occurs exclusively along the ends, without the formation of any new nuclei. A mechanism for the transformation of well-defined platelets from wires has been proposed and is due to the exclusive loss of mass at the ends of the wires while growth of the platelets initially occurs along the (001) direction which is then replaced by the (110) face.
Forest Attributes from Radar Interferometric Structure and Its Fusion with Optical Remote Sensing

The possibility of global, three-dimensional remote sensing of forest structure with interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) bears on important forest ecological processes, particularly the carbon cycle. InSAR supplements two-dimensional remote sensing with information in the vertical dimension. Its strengths in potential for global coverage complement those of lidar (light detecting and ranging), which has the potential for high-accuracy vertical profiles over small areas. InSAR derives its sensitivity to forest vertical structure from the differences in signals received by two, spatially separate radar receivers. Estimation of parameters describing vertical structure requires multiple-polarization, multiple-frequency, or multiple-baseline InSAR. Combining InSAR with complementary remote sensing techniques, such as hyperspectral optical imaging and lidar, can enhance vertical-structure estimates and consequent biophysical quantities of importance to ecologists, such as biomass. Future InSAR experiments will supplement recent airborne and spaceborne demonstrations, and together with inputs from ecologists regarding structure, they will suggest designs for future spaceborne strategies for measuring global vegetation structure.
Engineering endoglucanase-secreting strains of ethanologenic Klebsiella oxytoca P2.

P2 was developed as a biocatalyst for the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of cellulose by chromosomally integrating Zymomonas mobilis genes (pdc, adhB) encoding the ethanol pathway. This strain contains the native ability to transport and metabolize cellobiose, eliminating the need to supplement with β-glucosidase during SSF. To increase the utility of this biocatalyst, we have now chromosomally integrated the celZ gene encoding the primary endoglucanase from Erwinia chrysanthemi. This gene was expressed at high levels by replacing the native promoter with a surrogate promoter derived from Z. mobilis DNA. With the addition of out genes encoding the type II protein secretion system from E. chrysanthemi, over half of the active endoglucanase (EGZ) was secreted into the extracellular environment. The two most active strains, SZ2(pCPP2006) and SZ6(pCPP2006), produced approximately 24 000 IU L−1 of CMCase activity, equivalent to 5% of total cellular protein. Recombinant EGZ partially depolymerized acid-swollen cellulose and allowed the production of small amounts of ethanol by SZ6(pCPP2006) without the addition of fungal cellulase. However, additional endoglucanase activities will be required to complete the depolymerization of cellulose into small soluble products which can be efficiently metabolized to ethanol.
Computing mountain passes and transition states

The mountain-pass theorem guarantees the existence of a critical point on a path that connects two points separated by a sufficiently high barrier. We propose the elastic string algorithm for computing mountain passes in finite-dimensional problems and analyze the convergence properties and numerical performance of this algorithm for benchmark problems in chemistry and discretizations of infinite-dimensional variational problems. We show that any limit point of the elastic string algorithm is a path that crosses a critical point at which the Hessian matrix is not positive definite.
Beamspace esprit for multi-source arrival angle estimation employing tapered windows

This paper presents two new algorithms that operate in beamspace and provide closed-form arrival angle estimates in conjunction with uniform linear arrays. The algorithms window the array data using either a cosine shaped window or a Hanning window prior to beamforming. The resulting array patterns have low sidelobe levels (peak sidelobe leve ≈ −23.5dB for cosine window, peak sidelobe level ≈ −32.3dB for Hanning window) and provide enhanced out-of-band source suppression. In contrast, the existing DFT Beamspace ESPRIT algorithm employs a rectangular window; the resulting array pattern has a peak sidelobe level of ≈ −13.5dB. The new algorithms clearly provide better out-of-band source suppression than DFT Beamspace ESPRIT. They can provide arrival angle estimates of sources in a given spatial sector without being swamped by powerful sources lying outside the sector of interest.
Therapeutic role of ERCP in the management of suspected common bile duct stones

Therapeutic ERCP was born with the introduction of endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) in 1973, which transformed the therapeutic approach to biliary disease, especially the management of common bile duct (CBD) stones. Today, more than 150,000 endoscopic biliary sphincterotomies are performed annually in the United States. Patients with bile duct stones present with a variety of clinical problems, alone or in combination, including cholestasis, pain, cholangitis, pancreatitis, or as asymptomatic demonstration on imaging or operative cholangiography. It has become increasingly feasible, acceptable, and supportable to treat patients in all these categories endoscopically. In its infancy, endoscopic therapy was initially considered justifiable only in elderly patients after cholecystectomy who had recurrent or retained CBD stones and who were at high risk of serious complications from open surgical CBD exploration or reexploration at a time when few endoscopy centers could offer the techniques. Adolescence witnessed the impressive successes of ES and stone extraction methods in high-risk groups. With an expansion of units offering endoscopic therapy, a low level of associated complications, and a strong patient preference, many centers were persuaded to widen their indications for the procedure to include younger patients after cholecystectomy, and later, a range of patients in whom the gallbladder was still in place but in whom CBD stones were the principal clinical problem. Much of this occurred in the absence of any comparative trial data to aid decision-making and, indeed, there was such enthusiasm for endoscopic therapy that the establishment of randomized trials became difficult. Nevertheless, the wisdom of maturity dictated that, because they are essential to settle arguments about relative morbidity and mortality risks in different patient populations and the bias of selection for treatment by endoscopic or surgical means, such prospective studies were forthcoming and have provided a sound basis on which to triage patients. Concomitant with the developments of wider clinical application has been the evolution of endoscopic techniques to reduce stone size and facilitate endoscopic removal. These comprise mechanical lithotripsy, laser lithotripsy, and electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL). There was a growing appreciation that maintaining biliary drainage was imperative after any endoscopic intervention and could be achieved by nasobiliary tube or endoprosthesis. Many lithotripsy techniques can also be applied by means of percutaneous choledochoscopy, which may be the only endoscopic option if the peroral route is denied or fails. The endoscopist is now faced with the referral of a number of clearly defined groups of patients with confirmed or suspected bile duct stones for whom endoscopic therapy may be optimal compared with these alternatives: 1. Severe cholangitis with or without cholelithiasis; 2. Severe gallstone pancreatitis;
An equation of state for oxygen and nitrogen

Recent measurements of the thermodynamic properties of oxygen and nitrogen have provided the necessary data to allow the development of a single equation of state for both fluids, which, with the appropriate coefficients, describes the P-ρ-T surface for each within the estimated experimental uncertainty of the data. The formulation uses least squares curve fitting of the equation of state to the available experimental data including P-ρ-T data, saturation data, and measured isochoric heat capacities. New vapor pressure equations and equations for the ideal gas heat capacities for both oxygen and nitrogen have been developed for use in the calculation of derived thermodynamic properties. By the use of a new fitting technique, continuous integration along isotherms through the two-phase region facilitates the calculation of liquid properties. A further advantage of this formulation is the ease of programming a single equation of state for computer calculations in design work. Details of the work outlined here may be found elsewhere E [1].
Kernel regression estimation for incomplete data with applications

Methods are proposed to construct kernel estimators of a regression function in the presence of incomplete data. Furthermore, exponential upper bounds are derived on the performance of the $$L_p$$ norms of the proposed estimators, which can then be used to establish various strong convergence results. The presence of incomplete data points are handled by a Horvitz–Thompson-type inverse weighting approach, where the unknown selection probabilities are estimated by both kernel regression and least-squares methods. As an immediate application of these results, the problem of nonparametric classification with partially observed data will be studied.
Diversity, stability and maturity in natural ecosystems

The belief that natural ecosystems become more diverse and, hence, more stable with time after a disturbance is widely accepted and regularly repeated in ecology textbooks (Clements & Shelford, 1939; Colinvaux, 1973; Collier et al., 1973; Odum, 1953). There are suggestions on empirical and theoretical grounds of quantitative relationships between diversity and some measure of stability (Hairston et al., 1968; Hurd et al., 1971; Goel et al., 1971; Leigh, 1965; May, 1972, 1973b; Murdoch et al., 1972; Paine, 1969; Patten, 1963; Pimentel, 1961; Volterra, 1937; Watt, 1964) but the correlations, not to mention causations, are still obscure. In any case, the popularity of the notions that succession generates diversity and that diversity enhances stability predates empirical or theoretical justification. Also, the concepts are normally discussed with poorly defined terms, reflecting an uncertainty about what concept(s) of stability are useful in ecology and, even more important, what we wish to understand about natural ecosystems.
Comorbid insomnia and cognitive behavior therapy

Insomnia most commonly presents comorbidly in association with medical and psychiatric disorders. Comorbid insomnia, however, remains under treated in the majority of patients. Concerns about drug interactions, adverse events, and dependence as well as the assumption that treating the insomnia as a secondary presentation that will resolve when the primary condition improves are all factors that contribute to the under treatment of comorbid insomnia. This article presents the growing research evidence that highlights the benefits and importance of targeting the insomnia that presents comorbidly with medical and psychiatric conditions utilizing the nonpharmacological and effective treatment of cognitive behavior therapy.
Just-In-Time Learning for the Just Google It Era

Computer Science education has to change - the students are demanding a new paradigm in this Just Google It era. This paper discusses what Just in Time Learning is, how it is more effective than the traditional educational process, and how to change education to embrace the Internet through incorporating the Just-In-Time Learning model. There are five parts to incorporating the Just-In-Time Learning model: one - recognizing that the textbook is dead, as students Just Google It, two - help students learn how to vet the information they find online, three - incorporate real-world problems and support creative student ideas, four - modify the classroom to include an active-learning environment to fully support Just-In-Time Learning, and five - the role of the teacher is now as a tutor, helping students learn and learn how to learn. By incorporating these five parts of the Just-In-Time Learning model, there is no longer the concept of cheating, and students are learning the core necessary skills: problem-solving, critical thinking, good decision making, self-learning, and effective communication.