cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Children's Cross-Ethnic Relationships in Elementary Schools: Concurrent and Prospective Associations Between Ethnic Segregation and Social Status

This study examined whether ethnic segregation is concurrently (fall) and prospectively (fall to spring) associated with social status among 4th- and 5th-grade African American and European American children (n = 713, ages 9–11 years). Segregation measures were (a) same-ethnicity favoritism in peer affiliations and (b) cross-ethnicity dislike. Social status measures were same- and cross-ethnicity peer nominations of acceptance, rejection, and cool. Among African Americans, fall segregation predicted declines in cross-ethnicity (European American) acceptance and same-ethnicity rejection, and increases in same-ethnicity acceptance and perceived coolness. For European American children, fall segregation predicted declines in cross-ethnicity (African American) acceptance and increases in cross-ethnicity rejection. Results indicate that segregation induces asymmetric changes in social status for African American and European American children.
A generic authentication protocol for wireless body area networks

This paper proposes a novel authentication protocol for wireless body area networks (WBAN). For the first time, the protocol adopts generic programming concept for cross-layer design of security in WBAN. By careful examination of various WBAN applications/systems and thorough research on physical-layer authentication mechanisms targeted for WBAN, a generic protocol is developed to authenticate entities in WBAN systems. Generic programming focuses on high-level functionality and component interface, leaving technical details for later development. This lightweight approach merits the deployment of emerging WBAN security technologies for a variety of applications. Generic authentication protocols bring academic laboratory results into real world products with practical implementation of WBAN security. The work is then validated with security analysis.
Efficacy of techniques for responsiveness in a wide-area publish/subscribe system

As the multiplicity of organizational domains often span across nations, or even continents, the need for federated communications across domains becomes paramount. Consequently, messaging middleware has become critical towards enabling cross-domain, wide-area federations. Cross-domain federation has placed increased emphasis on the need for the messaging system to provide Quality of Service (QoS), particularly with respect to responsive delivery of messages. Responsiveness, or timely delivery of messages, is critical in real-world services, such as a smart utility grid system. This study explores the efficacy of providing responsiveness in wide-area publish/subscribe messaging by evaluating several key techniques for managing latency. Specifically, this paper evaluates the following techniques: proactive best-path routing, reactive QoS-aware routing, and multipath routing. We present Harmony, a QoS-aware publish/subscribe middleware system, that adapts these techniques in order to provide responsive and high availability messaging. This study seeks to provide an in-depth understanding of how different techniques to manage responsiveness affect the end-to-end performance under various network conditions.
Tracheal reconstruction with pedicled thyroid cartilage

Limited areas of tracheal stenosis have been repaired with a variety of techniques. More extensive upper tracheal defects present a greater challenge with less predictable success. The following is the description of yet another technique for reconstruction of extensive upper tracheal defects. We report on the use of a muscle-pedicled thyroid alar graft which carries its own blood supply and perichondrial covering, supplies a large, conveniently shaped graft, requires one operative site and one operative sitting, and has proven advantageous even in the comprised patient.
Polymorphism in the Earth's mantle

Polymorphism has been proposed to explain seismic discontinuities without chemical change. Topological and thermodynamic classifications of polymorphism indicate a much wider range of possible types than previously described, with the further possibility of seismic discontinuities independent of density changes. Polymorphic transformations are topologically classified as: (1). open packing to cp (close-packed), (2) rearrangement of interstitial atoms in cp structures, (3) coordination change, (4) electronic transformation, and (5) rearrangement of cp atoms. Calculation of repulsion energy for coordination change indicates an increase of cation coordination number with high pressure, but the effect of temperature cannot be generalized. Transformations of types (1), (3), and (4) are first order, with a volume change, latent beat, and change of elastic constants. Types (2) and (5) are second order in an ideal case, with an abrupt change of elastic constants at a critical point, but with volume and heat changes spread over a wide range. With increasing depth, a single composition might undergo a series of transformations with consequent effect on the seismic observations: a low-pressure open structure collapses to cp; the cations move from tetrahedral to octahedral holes, then into high coordination positions where they are an essential part of the packing; and ions release their electrons to the conducting state (starting with the oxygen ion). While interstitial atoms are still present, they may rearrange in response to temperature or pressure changes. At some undetermined stage cp atoms may rearrange, as from cubic cp to hexagonal cp.
HOW THE POWER GRID BEHAVES

The nation's electric power grid is an interconnected network of generation groups called control areas. Each control area has the responsibility to serve power to its residential, commercial, and industrial customers, even in the event of unforeseen disturbances. A control area must fulfill this responsibility in both a reliable and a cost-effective manner: reliably, so that its customers don't wind up in the dark; and inexpensively, so that it can remain competitive in an increasingly competitive deregulated marketplace. The high-voltage transmission system ties each control area to its neighbor, enabling the control area to buy and sell power with its neighbors. Transacting power with its neighbors helps a control area fulfill its responsibilities. This presentation explains many of the fundamental issues surrounding the operation of the interconnected power system. It identifies the various components of the system, including the generators, loads, and transmission lines that comprise each control area, and demonstrates how automatic generation control is employed to keep pace with changing power demand. Furthermore, the presentation emphasizes the variety of issues associated with transacting power between areas, identifying the reliability and economic issues and indicators that may shape a control area's decision to engage in a power transaction. The highly graphical and interactive PowerWorld Simulator software package is used to communicate these lessons clearly and effectively.
Inhibition of polyamine synthesis impairs the secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide

The aim of the present study was to evaluate in vivo the role of polyamines in the secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). alpha-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) which inhibits ornithine decarboxylase activity and polyamine synthesis was given in drinking water and through intraperitoneal administration to Sprague-Dawley rats. Carotid artery was cannulated for collection of blood samples and measurement of blood pressure following the administration of arginine-vasopressin (AVP). Analysis of polyamines in cardiac tissue indicated that DFMO treatment decreased contents of putrescine and spermidine in cardiac tissue by 80% and 48%, respectively. Quantitation of ANP in plasma by radioimmunoassay indicated that both basal and stimulated levels of ANP in DFMO-treated animals were 21.5% and 50% of those in control rats. The administration of putrescine restored the levels of basal and AVP-stimulated levels of ANP in plasma which confirmed that DFMO effect on ANP secretion occurred specifically through the polyamine pathway.
Wire antennas on artificial complex ground planes: a new generation of low gain antennas

This work summarizes our latest research progress on wire antennas near artificial complex ground planes. As a new generation of low gain antenna, they have the advantages of low profile and versatile radiation properties. Various antenna designs are discussed in this paper, including surface wave antennas, circularly polarized antennas, and antennas with reconfigurable radiation patterns. They exhibit good potential for applications in wireless communications.
Structure Determination of Glycolipids Using Two Dimensional Proton NMR Spectroscopy: Globoside

Abstract High resolution one and two dimensional proton nuclear magnetic resonance (2D-NMR) spectra of the glycosphingolipid globoside (the P blood group antigen) have been obtained at 500 MHz and 40-50 degrees C in dimethylsulfoxide-d6-deuterium oxide (98:2 v/v). Analysis of a scalar coupling correlated spectrum (SECSY) allows assignment of resonances to residue types. Analysis of the oligosaccharide anomeric proton signals in the 3-6 ppm region of the 2D nuclear Overhauser effect (2D-NOE) spectrum of globoside reveals inter-residue couplings that allow identification of glycosidic linkage interactions and hence a primary structure. The diversity of linkage types in globoside demonstrates that oligosaccharide sequence determination via 2D-NMR spectroscopy may be considered a general approach, regardless of the type of anomeric linkage involved. Measurement of the intra-oligosaccharide and inter-oligosaccharide NOE-conplings allows an estimation of the glycosidic interproton distances for each glycosidic ...
The morphology of tadpole (Rana catesbeiana) liver under varying conditions of organ culture

Primary explants from Rana catesbeiana tadpole liver have been maintained in organ culture for six days using methods of cultivation which are described in detail. The organization and morphology of the cells in culture have been defined by light and electron microscopy. By adjustment of the experimental conditions of culture, after six days, the cells are morphologically identical to those freshly excised from tadpole liver. Soon after being put into culture, however, the chromatin of the nuclei becomes condensed, and only after about 30 hours in culture do the original euchromatic characteristics of the nucleus reappear. The effects of changes in the culture conditions on these morphological characteristics are presented. The system that has been developed is discussed with a view toward elucidating the basis of the cytological changes which occur during anuran metamorphosis.
How Not to Learn From Catastrophe: Habermas, Critical Theory and the “Catastrophization” of Political Life

This essay conceptualizes the intersections between contemporary catastrophes and political life by exploring how narratives of catastrophe mediate discursive and objective processes of catastrophization. It argues for the need to counteract catastrophization, a discursive and objective political phenomenon, by not only re-cognizing how catastrophes impinge on political life but by offering a more critical understanding of this intersection. The essay thus calls for the politicization of catastrophe as a response to the “catastrophization of political life.” Apropos of these concerns, it engages with Habermas in order to explore how his political theory and interventions illustrate important aspects of the intersections between narratives of catastrophe and contemporary political life, say, how discursive catastrophization leads to the misrecognition of objective modalities of catastrophe. Overall, this essay offers an account of how to conceptualize catastrophe and catastrophization in order to articulat...
A note on a possible mathematical approach to the theory of individual freedom

As suggested in previous publications, freedom may be defined quantitatively as a restriction upon the choice of a number of activities. If the choice is determined by maximizing the satisfaction function, it is suggested that freedom may be defined in terms of the satisfaction function. If an individual is isolated and no physical restrictions limit his choice of activities, he is free to choose any activity in an amount which maximizes his satisfaction. This isolated state may be considered therefore as that of maximum freedom. If the individual interacts with another, he will choose different amounts of his object of satisfaction depending on whether he behaves egoistically or altruistically. But in either case the value chosen will not maximize his satisfaction function considered alone. A simple analytical expression is suggested as a measure of freedom in this case, and some problems which arise from this suggestion are mentioned.
A clustering of injury behaviors.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol is a well-known risk factor for injury. A number of other behaviors are also associated with injury risk. We hypothesized that risky drinking would be associated with other high risk behaviors, thereby delineating a need for behavioral interventions in addition to alcohol. METHODS: A consecutive sample of trauma patients was interviewed for drinking and risky behaviors including seat belt use, helmet use, and driving behaviors. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test was used to screen for risky drinking and risky behavior questions were taken from validated questionnaires. Behaviors were ranked on a Likert scale ranging from a low to a high likelihood of the behavior or assessed the frequency of behavior in the past 30 days. An Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score of 8 or more was considered risky drinking for adults age 21 to 64, and 4 or more for ages 16 to 20 and over 65. Risky and nonrisky drinkers were compared on behavior risk items. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: One hundred sixty patients (mean age, 36.8 years, 72% men,) were interviewed. Risky drinkers were more likely to drive after consuming alcohol, ride with drinking drivers, tailgate, weave in and out of traffic, and make angry gestures at other drivers (all p < 0.05). Risky drinkers were less likely to wear motorcycle helmets. However, risky drinkers were no more or less likely to talk on the cell phone while driving, to use seatbelts, or use turn signals. Although number of lifetime vehicle crashes were similar, risky drinkers were more likely to have been the party at fault for the crash (mean 1.09 vs. 0.64, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Factors other than alcohol increase injury risk in problem drinkers. Injury prevention programs performing alcohol interventions should consider including behavioral interventions along with alcohol reduction strategies. New screening and intervention programs should be developed for injury behaviors that increase risk but are not alcohol related. Language: en
Potential Metabolic Mutagens of Caffeine and Various Methylxanthines

Xanthine N-carbinols, potential metabolites of caffeine and other methylxanthines, have been synthesized, characterized, and derivatized. Such intermediates, the initial metabolites arising from the cytochrome P-450 oxidation of the nitrogen-bound methyl groups, may be viewed as biological N-carbinols capable of alkylating proteins and nucleic acids. Evaluation of these compounds against Salmonella typhimurium, strain TA100, has demonstrated that, in contrast to caffeine, 7-hydroxymethyltheophylline and the 3,7-bis(hydroxymethyl)-1-methylxanthine mixture did exhibit cytotoxicity. There was no evidence of mutagenesis and it is possible that the Ames assay system is not applicable to N-carbinols.
Cow's Milk Allergy in a Preterm Infant A Case Presentation:

For the infant born prematurely, it is the immaturity of organ systems, such as the pulmonary system, the immune system, and gastrointestinal tract, that is most problematic. Apnea of prematurity, respiratory distress syndrome, uncoordinated suck, swallow, breathe sequence, immature protection of the airway during feeding, and an immature gut are the sequelae that must be overcome to support extrauterine growth. In some infants, as is the case in the patient presented here, other issues influenced by familial trait can also occur, making supporting growth even more of a challenge. In this case, an infant born at 31 weeks gestational age, with a history of several first-degree relatives with cow's milk allergy (CMA), is presented. CMA, respiratory distress with oral feeds, and dysphagia diagnosed by modified barium swallow study are discussed here. Eliminating food allergens from the maternal diet, the use of an amino acid—based infant formula for fortification of human milk to support growth goals, and th...
Ferromagnetic resonance of fine grained precipitates in glass: A thumbnail review

Abstract Ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) is a sensitive and mature technique for investigating ferro- or ferri-magnetic precipitates in glasses containing transition-group ions or atoms. The FMR spectra of spherical, single-domain particles are amenable to powder pattern analysis, yielding accurate measures of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy fields and g values. Multi-domain effects in metallic iron particles have also been observed and interpreted, and means of identifying unknown precipitated phases have been developed. The present paper serves as an extended abstract of a longer manuscript, in preparation, dealing with the experimental and theoretical foundations of the method [1].
Fatal retroperitoneal hematoma after enoxaparin administration in a patient with paroxysmal atrial flutter.

Purpose A case of fatal retroperitoneal hematoma that developed after enoxaparin administration in a woman with paroxysmal atrial flutter and chest pain is reported. Summary A 63-year-old, 74-kg, African-American woman arrived at the emergency department with a 24-hour history of severe, nonexertional, substernal chest pain that radiated down her left arm. An electrocardiograph with continuous telemetry showed new-onset paroxysmal atrial flutter without ST-segment elevation. She was treated with aspirin 325 mg, metoprolol 25 mg, and subcutaneous enoxaparin 80 mg (0.93 mg/kg) every 12 hours. On hospital day 2, she was given warfarin 5 mg daily and continued on enoxaparin. Approximately 36 hours after admission, she became acutely hypotensive and developed tachycardia. She was transferred to the medical intensive care unit and intubated for respiratory arrest. Soon after, she was found to be in asystole and, despite multiple rounds of standard advanced cardiac life support and infusion of blood products, the patient expired 3 hours after the initial emergency resuscitation code was called. A postmortem examination revealed a large, noncommunicating, retroperitoneal hematoma located posterior to the right kidney as the cause of death. Conclusion A 63-year-old African-American woman with a 24-hour history of severe, nonexertional chest pain and new-onset paroxysmal atrial flutter without ST-segment elevation was treated with enoxaparin and subsequently died of a fatal spontaneous retroperitoneal hematoma.
Effect of Thickness on the Water-Barrier Properties of Silane Films

Although it is known that certain silane coupling agents can dramatically improve corrosion resistance when deposited on metals, the origin of this effect and its dependence on film characteristics are not understood. To elucidate these issues, neutron reflectivity is used to investigate the morphology and structure of the silane films as well as their response to water exposure. Films with thicknesses approaching practical levels (0.2 μm) are investigated. This study complements previous work on thinner films. Although some characteristics of thick films are similar to thin films regarding water-barrier properties, there are notable exceptions. Bis-sulfur silane film, for example, provides an adequate water barrier only for films cured at 180 °C with thicknesses exceeding 1200 A. For bis-sulfur silane films, therefore, both larger thicknesses and higher cure temperatures are expected to improve anticorrosion performance.
An experimental study of vortex-flame interaction in counterflow spray diffusion flames

The extinction behavior of methanol counterflow spray diffusion flames was investigated using a combination of formaldehyde planer laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) and phase Doppler measurements. Extinction was brought about quasi-steadily, by progressively increasing the flow rates of both oxidizer and fuel side, and unsteadily, by generating a vortex on the oxidizer side. The unsteady experiments yielded values of extinction strain rates a factor of 2 larger than the quasi-steady values. The greater robustness of the spray flame under unsteady perturbation, was explained phenomenologically by estimating the timescales involved in the process. It was found that the vortex introduces unsteady effects in the outer diffusiveconvective layer of the flame. The inner reactive-diffusive layer, on the other hand, behaves in a quasisteady manner, since the characteristic chemical time is much smaller than the characteristic unsteady time. As a result, even though the instantaneous strain rate is much larger than the quasi-steady extinction strain rate, the flame is subject to a damped strain rate through the outer layer. An estimate of the thickness of the mixing layer, based on formaldehyde PLIF, provided a convenient means to compare the scalar dissipation rate and the Damkohler number between the two extinction modes, bypassing the need for detailed species measurements for the assessment of the mixture fraction and its gradient. Such a comparison showed that the difference between the two extinction modes was reduced to 25% on the average, consistent with expectations based on flame structure models from asymptotic theory. Spray flames exhibited longer time delays between the onset of extinction and reignition, as compared to gaseous flames. Estimates of the relevant Stokes number suggested that the difference may be attributed to droplet inertia effects.
Orifice Meter Expansion Factor Experiments

This paper presents new experimental data for orifice meter expansion factor and compares the results with previous data and accepted expansion factor correlations. The tests were performed in the Low Pressure Loop (LPL) of the Metering Research Facility (MRF) at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) flowing natural gas through 100 mm (4-inch) and 150 mm (6-inch) diameter orifice meter tubes for values of the orifice diameter ratio (β) between 0.25 and 0.60. The results for expansion factor, within the β range of the tests, are in good agreement with previous data reported by Murdock and Foltz (1953) flowing steam in a 100 mm meter tube and by Seidl (1995) flowing air in a 50 mm (2-inch) diameter meter tube.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
A priori prediction of tightly clustered connections based on heuristic classification trees

In this paper we describe a methodology to predict the tightly clustered (shorter) connections in the final optimal placement of an arbitrary netlist. This new methodology is based on classifying the connections in the netlist into several groups based on their topological characteristics. The most important characteristic that helps in this classification of connections is the presence of multiple paths between two nodes in a netlist. We show that this new methodology consistently results in identifying shorter connections much better than previous models and is independent of the placement approach used. In fact, on average, the cumulative length of the identified shorter connections is 36% (with Simulated Annealing), 33% (with Capo8.8) and 33% (with Dragon) less than those identified by a current mutual contraction model [10]. The model on average identifies 27% more connections than the minimum required for coarsening the netlist and reducing its size in half.
Theories of Newtonian gravity and empirical indistinguishability

In this essay, I examine the curved spacetime formulation of Newtonian gravity known as Newton–Cartan gravity and compare it with flat spacetime formulations. Two versions of Newton–Cartan gravity can be identified in the physics literature—a “weak” version and a “strong” version. The strong version has a constrained Hamiltonian formulation and consequently a well-defined gauge structure, whereas the weak version does not (with some qualifications). Moreover, the strong version is best compared with the structure of what Earman (World enough and spacetime. Cambridge: MIT Press) has dubbed Maxwellian spacetime. This suggests that there are also two versions of Newtonian gravity in flat spacetime—a “weak” version in Maxwellian spacetime, and a “strong” version in Neo-Newtonian spacetime. I conclude by indicating how these alternative formulations of Newtonian gravity impact the notion of empirical indistinguishability and the debate over scientific realism.
Some interrelationships of inhomogeneous theories in the weak coupling limit pertinent to describing electrical interactions at interfaces

Abstract Classical fluid statistical mechanical theories, and analogous theories traditionally associated with solid state physics, are used to examine electrostatics in the weak coupling limit for an interface of coulombic systems. The imaging potentials of the solid state approaches are shown to be equal in form to those of liquid state approaches for simple models which rely on the specular reflection ansatz. This equivalence also holds for the full (screened) electrostatic potentials. The simple model equations are also shown to be relatable to general equations of both the liquid and solid state formalisms. Relationships are identified that, on a simple level, serve to unify some general theories used for many-body interfacial electrical interactions. The relationships are especially pertinent to the electrochemical interface.
Design and Flight Qualification of the Rigidizable Inflatable Get-Away-Special Experiment

The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) developed the Rigidizable Inflatable GetAway-Special Experiment (RIGEX) to demonstrate the feasibility of using rigidizable, inflatable, technology for space structures. RIGEX autonomously deployed and captured the structural characteristics of three rigidizable, inflatable tubes while in the space environment. The three identical tubes were manufactured by L’Garde Inc. and were made from carbon fibers in a thermoplastic resin. RIGEX was designed to fly in the DoD’s Space Test Program’s Canister for All Payload Ejections (CAPE) container within the Space Shuttle Orbiter's payload bay. RIGEX completed its mission on March 26, 2008 after being in orbit for 16 days. This paper summarizes the science and motivation behind RIGEX's inflatable rigidizable structure research and provides an overview of the experiment design. It also details the experiment build and flight qualification testing of the RIGEX/CAPE payload, including modifications and design changes made to the experiment during the build and test phases. Results from flight qualification testing are presented which were used to validate RIGEX’s structural integrity, functionality, and space compatibility. These test results were compiled into the payload’s Acceptance Data Package which was provided to the National Air and Space Association (NASA). RIGEX was integrated and flown under the direction of DoD’s Space Test Program.
The Mcm2-7 Replicative Helicase: A Promising Chemotherapeutic Target

Numerous eukaryotic replication factors have served as chemotherapeutic targets. One replication factor that has largely escaped drug development is the Mcm2-7 replicative helicase. This heterohexameric complex forms the licensing system that assembles the replication machinery at origins during initiation, as well as the catalytic core of the CMG (Cdc45-Mcm2-7-GINS) helicase that unwinds DNA during elongation. Emerging evidence suggests that Mcm2-7 is also part of the replication checkpoint, a quality control system that monitors and responds to DNA damage. As the only replication factor required for both licensing and DNA unwinding, Mcm2-7 is a major cellular regulatory target with likely cancer relevance. Mutations in at least one of the six MCM genes are particularly prevalent in squamous cell carcinomas of the lung, head and neck, and prostrate, and MCM mutations have been shown to cause cancer in mouse models. Moreover various cellular regulatory proteins, including the Rb tumor suppressor family members, bind Mcm2-7 and inhibit its activity. As a preliminary step toward drug development, several small molecule inhibitors that target Mcm2-7 have been recently discovered. Both its structural complexity and essential role at the interface between DNA replication and its regulation make Mcm2-7 a potential chemotherapeutic target.
Spontaneous adenomyosis in the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes): a first report and review of the primate literature: Case Report

Adenomyosis is a non-neoplastic condition characterized by the presence of ectopic endometrium in the myometrium with hyperplasia of adjacent smooth muscle. Common symptoms in women include debilitating pelvic pain and abnormal uterine bleeding, and the condition has been paradoxically associated with both multiparity and subfertility. Adenomyosis spontaneously occurs in humans and some non-human primates, including the baboon and macaque, where it has been associated with primary infertility and the presence of endometriosis. No cases of adenomyosis have been previously reported in Pongidae such as gorilla, orangutan or chimpanzee. We here describe two cases of naturally occurring adenomyosis in the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) and briefly review the literature regarding the presence of adenomyosis in non-human primate species.
A K-5 Bilingual Resource Room: The First Year.

Abstract This paper is a descriptive account of a kindergarten through fifth grade bilingual resource classroom in a suburban school district in the Midwest, and the community, district, and school in which it is located. It includes information about bilingual program goals; students, teachers, and administrators; entry and exit assessment; the bilingual and ESL classes; and the activities and lessons for each grade level. The article concludes with critical comments and concrete recommendations, focusing on the need for language and culture training for teachers and administrators, testing of academic language, school-wide collaboration, teacher mentoring, improved program communication, parent involvement, new paradigms for empowering schools, and training for all teachers of language minority students.
Selectivity of Attrition in Longitudinal Studies of Cognitive Functioning

Results. Compared with participants who did not return, returning participants at the initial occasion had higher levels of each cognitive ability and of certain personality characteristics (e.g., agreeableness and openness), but many of the dif ferences were only apparent among adults older than 50 years of age. Importantly, there was no evidence that the longi tudinal change for nonreturning participants would have been different from that among the participants who did return. Discussion. The phenomenon of selective attrition is more complex than often assumed, and it may not necessarily limit the generalizability of longitudinal comparisons.
Boundedness of verbal and adjectival predicates in Mandarin

This study extends the boundedness account for ba -construction in Mandarin to transitive comparatives and hypothesizes that the selection in ba -construction and transitive comparatives constrained by boundedness, where boundedness can be manifested in terms of telicity of VPs, quantization of internal arguments or measure phrases. This generalized account shows how formal semantic properties affect syntactic selection and explains some sentences that existing accounts do not. Also, the proposal implicates a homomorphic syntax-semantics mapping across V and A categories, which is superior than category-specific theories.
Estradiol-regulated microRNAs control estradiol response in breast cancer cells

Estradiol (E2) regulates gene expression at the transcriptional level by functioning as a ligand for estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta). E2-inducible proteins c-Myc and E2Fs are required for optimal ERalpha activity and secondary estrogen responses, respectively. We show that E2 induces 21 microRNAs and represses seven microRNAs in MCF-7 breast cancer cells; these microRNAs have the potential to control 420 E2-regulated and 757 non-E2-regulated mRNAs at the post-transcriptional level. The serine/threonine kinase, AKT, alters E2-regulated expression of microRNAs. E2 induced the expression of eight Let-7 family members, miR-98 and miR-21 microRNAs; these microRNAs reduced the levels of c-Myc and E2F2 proteins. Dicer, a ribonuclease III enzyme required for microRNA processing, is also an E2-inducible gene. Several E2-regulated microRNA genes are associated with ERalpha-binding sites or located in the intragenic region of estrogen-regulated genes. We propose that the clinical course of ERalpha-positive breast cancers is dependent on the balance between E2-regulated tumor-suppressor microRNAs and oncogenic microRNAs. Additionally, our studies reveal a negative-regulatory loop controlling E2 response through microRNAs as well as differences in E2-induced transcriptome and proteome.
Learning and recognizing human dynamics in video sequences

This paper describes a probabilistic decomposition of human dynamics at multiple abstractions, and shows how to propagate hypotheses across space, time, and abstraction levels. Recognition in this framework is the succession of very general low level grouping mechanisms to increased specific and learned model based grouping techniques at higher levels. Hard decision thresholds are delayed and resolved by higher level statistical models and temporal context. Low-level primitives are areas of coherent motion found by EM clustering, mid-level categories are simple movements represented by dynamical systems, and high-level complex gestures are represented by Hidden Markov Models as successive phases of ample movements. We show how such a representation can be learned from training data, and apply It to the example of human gait recognition.
Effect of temperature on mechanical anisotropy of zircaloy-4 sheet

The effect of test temperature on the mechanical anisotropy parameters of Zircaloy-4 sheet was investigated using grided tensile samples. The anisotropy parameters R and P were determined from tensile tests along the rolling (RD) and transverse (TD) directions respectively. Tests were carried out at a cross-lhead speed of 2.54 x 10-3 mm/s fur various temperatures in the range of ambient to 828 K. It was observed that the R parameter was essentially constant with a value of around 1.5. P parameter was constant in the range of ambient to 600 K with a value of around 2.8 while it decreased at higher temperatures to a value of around 1.
Comparison of the Rapid Yeast Plus Panel with the API20C Yeast System for Identification of Clinically Significant Isolates of Candida Species

The RapID Yeast Plus system (Innovative Diagnostic Systems, Norcross, Ga.) is a qualitative micromethod employing conventional tests and single-substrate chromogenic tests and having a 4-h incubation period. This system was compared with the API20C (bioMerieux Vitek, Hazelwood, Mo.) system, a 24- to 72-h carbohydrate assimilation method. One hundred thirty-three clinical yeast isolates, including 57 of Candida albicans, 26 of Candida tropicalis, 23 of Candida glabrata, and 27 of other yeasts, were tested by both methods. When discrepancies occurred, isolates were further tested by the Automated Yeast Biochemical Card (bioMerieux Vitek). Germ tube production and microscopic morphology were used as needed to definitively identify yeast isolates. The RapID Yeast Plus system correctly identified 125 yeast isolates, with an overall accuracy of 94% (125 of 133). Excellent correlation was found in the recognition of the three yeasts most commonly isolated from human sources. The test was 99% (105 of 106 isolates) accurate with C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. glabrata. The RapID Yeast Plus system compares favorably with the API20C system and provides a simple, accurate alternative to conventional assimilation methods for the rapid identification of the most commonly encountered isolates of Candida species.
Electric Field Measurements inside Self‐Assembled Multilayer Films at Electrode Surfaces by Electrochemically Modulated Surface Plasmon Resonance Experiments

The new in situ optical technique of electrochemically modulated surface plasmon resonance (EM-SPR) is described and applied to the measurement of the electrostatic fields inside noncentrosymmetric zirconium phosphonate (ZP) films formed from the asymmetric nonlinear optical material [1-[4-[4-[(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl)amino]phenyl]azo](5-phosphonopentyl)] pyridinium bromide (PY-AZO). In situ EM-SPR measurements on PY-AZO films yield a value for the change in electric field strength (ΔE) of 4 × 103 V/cm for a change in electrode potential (Δϕm) at 0.0 V vs. SCE of ±25 mV (8 × 104 V/cm for Δϕm = 1 V). This electric field strength value indicates that there is substantial ion penetration into the film in the electrochemical environment. Both the phase and magnitude of the surface optical response in the EM-SPR measurements are used to distinguish the molecular and metal electrode contributions to the overall optical signal. These two EM-SPR contributions are identified and separated in a quantitative fashion through a series of theoretical Fresnel calculations.
Dependence of dispersive and birefringence properties of silicon nanowires on waveguide dimensions

We study numerically the dependence of dispersive and birefringence properties of silicon nanowires on waveguide dimensions and show that they have a strong geometrical dependence when nanowire dimensions become comparable to the wavelength of light inside the device. We develop a graphical method for engineering two or more dispersion parameters simultaneously and use it to demonstrate the possibility of fabricating silicon nanowires with flattened dispersion curves over a wide spectral range with normal or anomalous nominal values. We quantify polarization-mode dispersion through the differential group delay and show that it can acquire large values for properly designed nanowires. Our analysis should help in designing silicon-based photonic integrated circuits.
Who is missing from the measures? Trends in the proportion and treatment of patients potentially excluded from publicly-reported quality measures

Background The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services provides public reporting on the quality of hospital care for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Core Measures allow discretion in excluding patients because of relative contraindications to aspirin, β-blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. We describe trends in the proportion of patients with AMI with contraindications that could lead to discretionary exclusion from public reporting. Methods We completed cross-sectional analyses of 3 nationally representative data cohorts of AMI admissions among Medicare patients in 1994-1995 (n = 170,928), 1998-1999 (n = 27,432), and 2000-2001 (n = 27,300) from the national Medicare quality improvement projects. Patients were categorized as ineligible (eg, transfer patients), automatically excluded (specified absolute medical contraindications), discretionarily excluded (potentially excluded based on relative contraindications), or "ideal" for treatment for each measure. Results For 4 of 5 measures, the percentage of discretionarily excluded patients increased over the 3 periods (admission aspirin 15.8% to 16.9%, admission β-blocker 14.3% to 18.3%, discharge aspirin 10.3% to 12.3%, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors 2.8% to 3.9%; P Conclusions A sizeable and growing proportion of patients with AMI have relative contraindications to treatments that may result in discretionary exclusion from publicly reported quality measures. These patients represent a large population for which there is insufficient evidence as to whether measure exclusion or inclusion and treatment represents best care.
Mechanosensitive Hair Cell-Like Cells from Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Mechanosensitive sensory hair cells are the linchpin of our senses of hearing and balance. The inability of the mammalian inner ear to regenerate lost hair cells is the major reason for the permanence of hearing loss and certain balance disorders. Here, we present a stepwise guidance protocol starting with mouse embryonic stem and induced pluripotent stem cells, which were directed toward becoming ectoderm capable of responding to otic-inducing growth factors. The resulting otic progenitor cells were subjected to varying differentiation conditions, one of which promoted the organization of the cells into epithelial clusters displaying hair cell-like cells with stereociliary bundles. Bundle-bearing cells in these clusters responded to mechanical stimulation with currents that were reminiscent of immature hair cell transduction currents.
Performance evaluation of cooperative cognitive radio networks with data/decision fusion

In this article, we develop an analytical framework for performance evaluation and comparison between decision and data fusion rules for cooperative relay based cognitive radio networks. Our unified analytical formulas for the data fusion rules are sufficiently general to tackle generalized stochastic channel models with independent but non-identically distributed (i.n.d) link statistics. We also derive a unified expression for computing the effective detection and false alarm probabilities for multi-relay networks with k-out-of-N decision fusion rules (which includes “AND”, “OR”, and the “Majority-Rule” as special cases). While the decision fusion rule yields a slightly better performance than the data fusion rule with a single cooperating relay, we observe that the performance of data fusion schemes lie in between the extremes of “AND” and “OR” rules of decision fusion for multi-relay networks. The maximal-ratio combining (MRC) based data fusion rule outperforms the square-law combining (SLC) counterpart, as anticipated. However, a different value of “k” in the k-out-of-N decision fusion rule outperforms others depending on the system parameters. As such, an adaptive decision fusion rule will more advantageous than a decision fusion rule with a fixed k value.
An EIAV field isolate reveals much higher levels of subtype variability than currently reported for the equine lentivirus family.

Background: Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV), a lentivirus that infects horses, has been utilized as an animal model for the study of HIV. Furthermore, the disease associated with the equine lentivirus poses a significant challenge to veterinary medicine around the world. As with all lentiviruses, EIAV has been shown to have a high propensity for genomic sequence and antigenic variation, especially in its envelope (Env) proteins. Recent studies have demonstrated Env variation to be a major determinant of vaccine efficacy, emphasizing the importance of defining natural variation among field isolates of EIAV. To date, however, published EIAV sequences have been reported only for cell-adapted strains of virus, predominantly derived from a single primary virus isolate, EIAV Wyoming (EIAV WY ). Results: We present here the first characterization of the Env protein of a natural primary isolate from Pennsylvania (EIAVPA) since the widely utilized and referenced EIAVWY strain. The data demonstrated that the level of EIAVPA Env amino acid sequence variation, approximately 40% as compared to EIAV WY , is much greater than current perceptions or published reports of natural EIAV variation between field isolates. This variation did not appear to give rise to changes in the predicted secondary structure of the proteins. While the EIAVPA Env was serologically cross reactive with the Env proteins of the cell-adapted reference strain, EIAVPV (derivative of EIAVWY), the two variant Envs were shown to lack any cross neutralization by immune serum from horses infected with the respective virus strains. Conclusion: Taking into account the significance of serum neutralization to universal vaccine efficacy, these findings are crucial considerations towards successful EIAV vaccine development and the potential inclusion of field isolate Envs in vaccine candidates.
Depression of Hoffmann Reflexes Following Voluntary Contraction and Implications for Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Therapy

Postcontraction depression of Hoffmann-reflex (H-reflex) amplitudes was examined to study the rationale underlying proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation relaxation techniques. The time course of H-reflex amplitude depression was used to assess postcontraction changes in motoneuron reflex excitability. Sixteen healthy female subjects performed voluntary isometric plantar-flexion contractions (65%-75% of maximal voluntary contraction) in a prone position. H-reflex stimulation began at a postcontraction delay of 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, or 5 seconds and continued every 10 seconds for 1 minute. Reflexes were depressed (mean = 67% decrease) by 0.05 second postcontraction, reached maximal depression (mean = 83.3% decrease) from 0.1 to 1 second postcontraction, recovered to 70% of control amplitudes (mean = 30% decrease) by 5 seconds postcontraction, and reached 90% control amplitudes (mean = 10% decrease) by 10.05 seconds postcontraction. The results indicate that proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques (eg, hold-relax) purported to produce a phase of relaxation following voluntary contraction do appear to produce a strong, but brief, neuromuscular inhibition that may be clinically useful for applying stretch.
The Trend toward Research Collaboration in Social Psychological Research

Summary The trend toward increased collaboration among researchers has been well documented in many scientific disciplines. This study delineates a similar trend in social psychological research.
The role of intradiscal steroids in the treatment of discogenic low back pain.

LBP is one of the most common reasons for visiting a doctor and is the most common cause of disability under age 45.Amongst a variety of etiologies, internal disc disruption (IDD) has been postulated as an important cause of low back pain. Treating discogenic low back pain continues to be a challenge to physicians. Inflammation, either from direct chemical irritation or secondary to an autoimmune response to the nucleus pulposus has been implicated as the primary pain source. Both steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have partial effectiveness in treating pain associated with inflammation. Therefore, the rationale for using intradiscal steroids is to suppress the inflammation within the disc, thereby alleviating the patient’s symptoms. The goal of this article is to review the literature regarding the efficacy of intradiscal steroids to treat low back pain of discogenic origin.