cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radio-Wave Propagation and Electromagnetic Surface Waves.

A Discrepancy and Its Resolution. - The problem of the propagation of radio-waves along the surface of the (plane) earth was first treated in a celebrated paper by A. Sommerfeld (1909).(1) Let the (r, φ)-plane of a cylindric system of coordinates coincide with the plane of the earth surface and let the z-axis point vertically upward. Sommerfeld considered a vertically oscillating dipole (radio-antenna) in the air, close to the origin (z = 0, r = 0) and asked what secondary waves were produced by the discontinuity due to the presence of the partially conducting earth. His investigation led to the result that the Hertzian vector II describing the electromagnetic field can be divided, in either medium (air and earth), into two parts: II = Q + P, where the part Q has the character of space-waves, which at large distances from the origin are proportional to R^-1, if R = (r^2 + z^2)^1/2. On the other hand, P is a surface-wave: at large distances it becomes proportional to r^-1/2 and is restricted to the vicinity of the earth surface.
Analysis of Steady-State Transients in Distributed Low-Voltage Power Systems with Rectified Loads

An analysis of a large number of randomly connected small low-voltage rectifiers to general purpose distribution systems is presented. The primary interest is on single-phase rectifiers connected to 120/208 V three-phase four wire ``wye'' systems, and shows that the cumulative effect of several different types of rectifiers can produce results which are generally not anticipated. Some of the unanticipated results are overcurrent conditions on the neutral conductor and line conditioning devices which produce effects quite different from those which they are intended to prevent.
Volunteer Motivations and Constraints Among College Students Analysis of the Volunteer Function Inventory and Leisure Constraints Models

This research examined motivational factors of college students to volunteer in various capacities using the Volunteer Function Inventory. Volunteering characteristics, scope of volunteerism, volunteer segments, and type of contributions were investigated. In addition, constraints to participation based on the leisure constraint model were explored. Data were collected at a major university in the southeast United States. Results identified that the majority were involved in volunteerism in some capacity. Organizations that focused on human services were the most important type of organizations to volunteers. Families and teachers were responsible for introducing almost the majority to volunteerism. Also, more than half reported time as their most important contribution. The strongest motives were related to the values and understanding dimension which reflected helping others and expanding one’s own perspective on an issue. Structural constraints were most likely to limit volunteerism. Several associatio...
The use of an aortoiliac side-arm conduit to maintain distal perfusion during thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair continues to be associated with a significant risk of operative complications, many of which are related to the prolonged period of aortic cross clamping inherent in the procedure. A variety of adjuvant techniques have been used in attempts to decrease morbidity, including atriofemoral extracorporal bypass, subarachnoid drainage, epidural cooling, and preliminary axillofemoral bypass. Herein is described a method to maintain distal perfusion with a side-arm conduit, originating from the most proximal aspect of the aortic graft and terminating on the left iliac artery. The technique has the potential to minimize hemodynamic instability while decreasing the period of pelvic and lower extremity ischemia and simplifying reattachment of aortic branch vessels. This method provides another option that can be considered in these technically demanding operative procedures.
Bibliotherapy as an adjunct to psychotherapy for depression in older adults

Bibliotherapy, reading a self-help book for the treatment of psychological problems, has been shown to be effective as a "stand-alone" treatment for depression. Many practitioners recommend self-help books as an adjunct to treatment. This article offers some guidelines for the use of bibliotherapy as an adjunct to individual psychotherapy with depressed older adults. Two clinical cases demonstrate how bibliotherapy can be used effectively in conjunction with individual psychotherapy.
Effect of Changes in Plasma Levels of Free Fatty Acids on Plasma Glucagon, Insulin, and Growth Hormone in Man

FFA. These findings contrasted with the effects upon plasma levels of immunoreactive insulin (IRI) and growth hormone (IGH). During elevation of F7A levels, the mean basal level of plasma IRI increased by lOO%, and the IRI response to arginine increased by 50%. Concomitantly, basal IGH levels and the plasma IGH response to arginine were suppressed markedly by elevation of FFA levels. The results of these studies do not offer support for a significant role of variation in plasma level of FFA as a regulator of acute changes in plasma IRG in man. An influence of changing levels of FFA on insulin secretion was found, and an effect on levels of growth hormone was confirmed.
Modeling an Anti-Amyloid Combination Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease

As only symptomatic treatments are now available for Alzheimer's disease (AD), safe and effective mechanism-based therapies remain a great unmet need for patients with this neurodegenerative disease. Although gamma-secretase and BACE1 [beta-site beta-amyloid (Abeta) precursor protein (APP) cleaving enzyme 1] are well-recognized therapeutic targets for AD, untoward side effects associated with strong inhibition or reductions in amounts of these aspartyl proteases have raised concerns regarding their therapeutic potential. Although moderate decreases of either gamma-secretase or BACE1 are not associated with mechanism-based toxicities, they provide only modest benefits in reducing Abeta in the brains of APPswe/PS1DeltaE9 mice. Because the processing of APP to generate Abeta requires both gamma-secretase and BACE1, it is possible that moderate reductions of both enzymes would provide additive and significant protection against Abeta amyloidosis. Here, we test this hypothesis and assess the value of this novel anti-amyloid combination therapy in mutant mice. We demonstrate that genetic reductions of both BACE1 and gamma-secretase additively attenuate the amyloid burden and ameliorate cognitive deficits occurring in aged APPswe/PS1DeltaE9 animals. No evidence of mechanism-based toxicities was associated with such decreases in amounts of both enzymes. Thus, we propose that targeting both gamma-secretase and BACE1 may be an effective and safe treatment strategy for AD.
Characterization of the Oral Fungal Microbiome (Mycobiome) in Healthy Individuals

The oral microbiome–organisms residing in the oral cavity and their collective genome–are critical components of health and disease. The fungal component of the oral microbiota has not been characterized. In this study, we used a novel multitag pyrosequencing approach to characterize fungi present in the oral cavity of 20 healthy individuals, using the pan-fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) primers. Our results revealed the “basal” oral mycobiome profile of the enrolled individuals, and showed that across all the samples studied, the oral cavity contained 74 culturable and 11 non-culturable fungal genera. Among these genera, 39 were present in only one person, 16 genera were present in two participants, and 5 genera were present in three people, while 15 genera (including non-culturable organisms) were present in ≥4 (20%) participants. Candida species were the most frequent (isolated from 75% of participants), followed by Cladosporium (65%), Aureobasidium, Saccharomycetales (50% for both), Aspergillus (35%), Fusarium (30%), and Cryptococcus (20%). Four of these predominant genera are known to be pathogenic in humans. The low-abundance genera may represent environmental fungi present in the oral cavity and could simply be spores inhaled from the air or material ingested with food. Among the culturable genera, 61 were represented by one species each, while 13 genera comprised between 2 and 6 different species; the total number of species identified were 101. The number of species in the oral cavity of each individual ranged between 9 and 23. Principal component (PCO) analysis of the obtained data set followed by sample clustering and UniFrac analysis revealed that White males and Asian males clustered differently from each other, whereas both Asian and White females clustered together. This is the first study that identified the “basal mycobiome” of healthy individuals, and provides the basis for a detailed characterization of the oral mycobiome in health and disease.
Production of Soluble Integrin α2β1 Heterodimer Complex Functionally Active in Vitro and in Vivo

Abstract Integrin α2β1, which is a membrane protein consisting of noncovalently bound α2 and β1 chains, mediates cell binding to collagen and plays a role in platelet functions. DNAs encoding the chimeric proteins in which the extracellular domains of each α2 and β1 chain was fused to hinge and Fc regions of human IgG1γ chain were cotransfected into CHO cells. Soluble integrin α2β1 (sα2β1) in which α2 and β1 chains were covalently bound by disulfide bonds was recovered from the culture supernatant. sα2β1 maintained functional characteristics of cell surface α2β1 as indicated by cation-dependent binding to collagen and conformational changes induced by cations or ligand. Intravenously administered sα2β1 in rats colocalized with collagen in inflamed microvessels. Moreover, sα2β1-conjugated liposome administered intravenously reduced bleeding time of the thrombocytopenic mice. These results indicated that sα2β1 has pharmaceutical utilities as an agent for detecting injured vessels and a component of platelet substitute.
Use of lighted stylets to facilitate insertion of double-lumen endobronchial tubes in patients with difficult airway anatomy

Placement of double-lumen endobronchial tubes (DLTs) into the trachea can be difficult because of their size and configuration. For patients with abnormal airway anatomy and anticipated difficult tracheal intubation, DLT placement can be extremely challenging. We present our experience using lighted stylets to facilitate insertion of DLTs in a series of patients with difficult airway anatomy.
Taking pills for developmental ails in Southern Brazil: The biologization of adolescence?

In the late 1990s researchers in Pelotas Southern Brazil began documenting what they considered to be unacceptably high rates of licensed psychotropic use among individuals of all ages, including youth. This came as a surprise, since the vast majority of psychiatrists in Pelotas draw on psychoanalytic theory and approach pharmaceutical use, especially for children and adolescents, in a consciously tempered way. Drawing from a longitudinal ethnographic sub-study, part of a larger 1982 birth cohort study, this paper follows the circuitous trajectories of emergent pharma-patterns among “shantytown” youth over a ten-year period, exploring the thickly layered and often moralized contingencies in which psychodynamic psychiatrists' intention to resist excessive pharmaceuticalization both succeed and crumble. I juxtapose these trajectories with the growing salience of an “anti-biologizing” explanatory framework that psychiatrists and researchers are using to pre-empt the kind of diagnostics-driven “biopsychiatrization” so prevalent in North America. My analysis suggests that psychiatrists' use of this framework ironically contributes to their failed attempts to “resist” pharmaceuticalization.
Delay in the onset of parturition in the rat following prenatal administration of developmental toxicants

Abstract The duration of gestation was determined in Sprague-Dawley albino rats exposed during days 6–18 of pregnancy to diethylstilbestrol (DES) or 3,4,3',4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (4CB). Each compound produced a delay in the onset of parturition compared to corn-oil-treated controls. The incidence of perinatal mortality was significantly elevated in animals born after 22 days of gestation in both control and treated litters.
Quantitative Determination of Sarcosine and Related Compounds in Urinary Samples by Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry

The current prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis, based on the blood prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level measurement, is not a precise science. The widely used PSA biomarker for PCa has poor sensitivity and specificity and often leads to false-negative and false-positive test results. Recently, sarcosine, proline, kynurenine, uracil, and glycerol 3-phosphate were found in higher concentrations in metastatic prostate cancer urine samples. By measuring all five of these metabolites, doctors may be better able to diagnose prostate cancer with high accuracy. However, there is no method reported for simultaneous detection of these compounds in urine samples. In this study, a novel method was developed to separate and quantify six urinary metabolites including creatinine in urine samples by using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Chromatographic separations of the analytes were carried out using a phenyl-hexyl column with 0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile, respectively, under a gradient program. The six metabolites were detected in the multiple reaction monitoring modes with the ESI-positive mode. The linear range of the analytes was from 0.003 to 40 μmol/L. The limit of detection was from 0.05 to 4 nmol/L, and the limit of quantification ranged from 3 to 20 nmol/L. The factors affecting the separation and quantification of the six metabolites, such as mobile-phase and MS conditions, were also investigated. The technique developed in this study is simple, fast, sensitive, and selective. It can be used for quantifying these six metabolites in urine samples for potential early cancer screening.
A Further Study of Spectral Energetics in the Winter Atmosphere

The contributions of standing (time-mean) and transient (time-departure) waves to the atmospheric spectral energetics are analyzed using the NMC (National Meteorological Center) data of winter 1976-1977. It is found that the standing long waves are responsible for the major horizontal sensible heat transport and also for the significant horizontal momentum transport. Furthermore, the major contents of eddy available energy and eddy kinetic energy of standing waves are in the long-wave regime. However, the spectral energetics analysis indicates that the standing long waves are energetically less efficient than the transient long and short waves. It is suggested that the lower efficiency of the standing long waves in the atmospheric energetics may be one of the physical factors causing the underforecast of the standing long waves in the numerical weather prediction models.
Impaired cerebral autoregulation and 6-month outcome in children with severe traumatic brain injury: preliminary findings.

The objective of this study was to describe the incidence of impaired cerebral autoregulation and to describe the relationship between impaired cerebral autoregulation and outcome after severe pediatr
Growth of mixed microbial populations in ground water containing highly chlorinated organic wastes

In Louisiana, there are about 300 chemical waste dump sites. Some have been abandoned, while others are still active. Most of the wastes deposited by the petro-chemical industries, are often highly chlorinated and considered not to be readily biodegradable. The contamination of ground water by hazardous organic chemical deposited at these locations has become a matter of concern, because of the risk of drinking water sources becoming polluted. There have been many reports presented regarding the microbial biodegradation of oil pollutants and other recalcitrant compounds by communities of microorganisms. Based upon such findings, the authors suspected that natural mechanisms that would detoxify hazardous organic wastes, would exist at waste sites. They report the isolation of microbial populations that would grow in organic-saturated ground water, with no added carbon sources.
THE PHASE-SPACE APPROACH TO OPTICAL SYSTEM THEORY

Phase-space optics is introduced as an alternative to conventional Fourier optics. The phase-space approach to optical system theory is briefly reviewed. The phase-space interpretation of Gaussian beam propagation serves as an example to illustrate the convenience and utility of phase-space optics.
History, haldanes and health inequities: exploring phenotypic changes in body size by generation and income level in the US-born White and Black non-Hispanic populations 1959–1962 to 2005–2008

Background Most public health literature on trends in population health and health inequities pertains to observed or targeted changes in rates or proportions per year or decade. We explore, in novel analyses, whether additional insight can be gained by using the ‘haldane’, a metric developed by evolutionary biologists to measure change in traits in standard deviations per generation, thereby enabling meaningful comparisons across species and time periods. Methods We analysed the phenotypic embodied traits of body height, weight and body mass index of US-born White and Black non-Hispanic adults ages 20 to 44 as measured in six large nationally representative population samples spanning from the 1959–1962 National Health Examination Survey I to the 2005–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Setting the former as baseline, we computed the haldane for each outcome for each racial/ethnic group for each survey, overall and stratified by family income quintile. Results For height, high rates of phenotypic change (haldane ≥ 0.3) occurred chiefly between 1960 and 1980, especially for the Black population in the higher income quintiles. By contrast, for weight, high rates of phenotypic change became evident for both the White and Black populations in the late 1980s and increased thereafter; for body mass index, the shift to high rates of change started in both groups in the late 1990s, especially in the middle income quintiles. Conclusions Our results support use of the haldane as a supplemental metric to place changes in population health and health inequities in a larger biological and historical context.
Polyp-Alert

We surveyed recent research in polyp detection in screening colonoscopy.We introduced a fast polyp detection algorithm cable of running at 10 frames per second on an off-the-shelf workstation. It correctly detects 97.7% of polyp shots in our data set.We evaluated our technique on 53 video files of procedures performed using Olympus and Fujinon scopes.Real-time polyp detection and feedback potentially help to reduce polyp miss rates to improve quality of care and quality of documentation.The proposed polyp detection algorithm is fast, effective, and potentially useful for improving quality of colonoscopy. We present a software system called "Polyp-Alert" to assist the endoscopist find polyps by providing visual feedback during colonoscopy. Polyp-Alert employs our previous edge-cross-section visual features and a rule-based classifier to detect a polyp edge-an edge along the contour of a polyp. The technique employs tracking of detected polyp edge(s) to group a sequence of images covering the same polyp(s) as one polyp shot. In our experiments, the software correctly detected 97.7% (42 of 43) of polyp shots on 53 randomly selected video files of entire colonoscopy procedures. However, Polyp-Alert incorrectly marked only 4.3% of a full-length colonoscopy procedure as showing a polyp when they do not. The test data set consists of about 18h worth of video data from Olympus and Fujinon endoscopes. The technique is extensible to other brands of colonoscopes. Furthermore, Polyp-Alert can provide as high as ten feedbacks per second for a smooth display of feedback. The performance of our system is by far the most promising to potentially assist the endoscopist find more polyps in clinical practice during a routine screening colonoscopy.
Analysis of Microclimate Data Measured over Grass and Soybean Canopy and Their Impacts on Penman-Monteith Grass and Alfalfa Reference Evapotranspiration

The use of Penman-Monteith (PM)-type combination-based energy-balance equations to estimate reference evapotranspiration (ETref) requires climatic data measured over well-watered and well-maintained reference grass or alfalfa vegetation surfaces. However, establishing and maintaining reference weather stations for a long period of time is a very formidable and expensive process. Thus, expansion of the microclimate data available for use in the PM equation for estimating ETref is needed. In the absence of reference weather stations, one alternative is using microclimatic data measured over other well-watered vegetation surfaces as inputs to the PM equation. This study determines if weather data collected from a well-watered soybean surface in a semihumid climate can be used for this purpose. Measured and estimated microclimate variables, including net radiation (Rn), average air temperature (Tave), dew-point temperature (Td), average relative humidity (RHave), aerodynamic resistance (ra), and wind speed at...
Space climate implications from substorm frequency

[1] The solar wind impacting the Earth varies over a wide range of time scales, driving a corresponding range of geomagnetic activity. Past work has strongly indicated that the rate of merging on the frontside magnetosphere is the most important predictor for magnetospheric activity, especially over a few hours. However, the magnetosphere exhibits variations on other time scales, including UT, seasonal, and solar cycle variations. Much of this geomagnetic variation cannot be reasonably attributed to changes in the solar wind driving—that is, it is not created by the original Russell-McPherron effect or any generalization thereof. In this paper we examine the solar cycle, seasonal, and diurnal effects based upon the frequency of substorm onsets, using a data set of 53,000 substorm onsets. These were identified through the SuperMAG collaboration and span three decades with continuous coverage. Solar cycle variations include a profound minimum in 2009 (448 substorms) and peak in 2003 (3727). The magnitude of this variation (a factor of 8.3) is not explained through variations in estimators of the frontside merging rate (such as dΦMP/dt), even when the more detailed probability distribution functions are examined. Instead, v, or better, n1/2v2 seems to be implicated in the dramatic difference between active and quiet years, even beyond the role of velocity in modulating merging. Moreover, we find that although most substorms are preceded by flux loading (78.5% are above the mean and 83.8% above median solar wind driving), a high solar wind v is almost as important (68.3% above mean, 74.8% above median). This and other evidence suggest that either v or n1/2v2 (but probably not p) plays a strong secondary role in substorm onset. As for the seasonal and diurnal effects, the elliptical nature of the Earth's orbit, which is closest to the Sun in January, leads to a larger solar wind driving (measured by Bs, vBs, or dΦMP/dt) in November, as is confirmed by 22 years of solar wind observations. However, substorms peak in October and March and have a UT dependence best explained by whether a conducting path established by solar illumination exists in at least one hemisphere in the region where substorm onsets typically occur.
Antisocial personality disorder in primary care patients with somatization disorder

Antisocial personality disorder and somatization disorder (SD) have been associated in previous research conducted primarily in patients from the mental health setting. We tested the hypothesis that patients with SD from the primary care setting had less likelihood of having comorbid antisocial personality disorder in a sample of 118 patients with SD. Two methods for diagnosing antisocial personality disorder were used: the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R, axis II (SCID-II). Eight percent of the women and between 18% and 25% (depending on the method used) of the men had antisocial personality, a prevalence rate that clearly exceeds the rate found in the general population. However, in clinical work, only one in 10 women and one in six men with SD will have antisocial personality disorder. These findings are consistent with the shared biological substrate hypothesized for the two disorders.
Laparoscopic management of small bowel obstruction: Indications and outcome

Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility of a laparoscopic, minimal access approach for the management of patients with small bowel obstruction. Forty patients underwent laparoscopic treatment of radiologically documented or suspected small bowel obstruction based on history and/or motility study. None had chronic abdominal or pelvic pain. The operation was completed laparoscopically in 14 patients (3 5%) and with laparoscopic-assisted procedures in 12 (30%); 14 (35%) required conversion to open celiotomy because of dense adhesions (precluding complete inspection or adhesiolysis), small bowel necrosis in the setting of small bowel obstruction, or neoplasia. Three iatrogenic enterotomies occurred while "running" the bowel. There were three (7%) postoperative procedure-related complications (wound infection, intra-abdominal abscess, ileus). The combined group of patients treated laparoscopically or with laparoscopic-assisted procedures had a shorter hospital stay than those converted to open celiotomy (4 ±0.6 vs. 7 ±0.7 days; P <0.003). At median follow-up of 12 months, 21 of 26 patients managed laparoscopically or with laparoscopic-assisted procedures remain asymptomatic; all 21 patients with an operatively confirmed site of mechanical obstruction managed by a minimal access approach remain asymptomatic. Laparoscopic treatment of small bowel obstruction is effective, leads to a shorter hospital stay, and has good long-term results. A minimal access approach to treatment of small bowel obstruction should be considered in selected patients.
Information density, Heapsâ€™ Law, and perception of factiness in news

Seeking information online can be an exercise in time wasted wading through repetitive, verbose text with little actual content. Some documents are more densely populated with factoids (fact-like claims) than others. The densest documents are potentially the most efficient use of time, likely to include the most information. Thus some measure of “factiness” might be useful to readers. Based on crowdsourced ratings of the factual content of 772 online news articles, we find that after controlling for widely varying document length using Heaps’ Law, a significant positive correlation exists between perceived factual content and relative information entropy.
Radar measurements of ice sheet thickness of outlet glaciers in Greenland

We have conducted airborne measurements over the Greenland ice sheet from the NASA P-3B aircraft using a 150-MHz coherent radar depth sounder to obtain extensive ice sheet thickness measurements. Simultaneous measurements of ice sheet elevation were also made using a laser altimeter. In outlet glacier areas along the ice sheet margin, the ice surface is characterized by a very rough, crevassed surface near the calving front. The rough ice surface generates signal clutter, which can mask the bottom echo. We are developing a technique to remove the surface clutter component from the signal to reveal the bottom echo, providing a complete ice thickness survey to the calving front of outlet glaciers. This technique makes use of a dense array of ice surface elevation measurements provided by the laser altimeter to characterize surface roughness. Surface roughness parameters are then used in a backscatter model to characterize the clutter waveform, which can be subsequently removed from the radar signal.
Multiple-site titration and molecular modeling: two rapid methods for computing energies and forces for ionizable groups in proteins.

Computer models of proteins frequently treat the energies and forces associated with ionizable groups as if they were purely electrostatic. This paper examines the validity of the purely electrostatic approach, and concludes that significant errors in energies can result from the neglect of ionization changes. However, a complete treatment of ionizable groups presents substantial computational obstacles, because of the large number of ionization states which must be examined in systems having multiple interacting titratable groups. In order to address this problem, two novel methods for treating the energetics and forces associated with ionizable groups with a minimum of computer time have been developed. The most rapid method yields approximate energies by computing the free energy of a single highly occupied ionization state. The second method separates ionizable groups into clusters, and treats intracluster interactions exactly, but intercluster interactions approximately. This method yields both accurate energies and fractional charges. Good results are obtained in tests of both methods on proteins having has many as 123 ionizable groups. The more rapid method requires computer times of 0.01 to 0.34 sec, while the more accurate method requires 0.7 to 15 sec. These methods may be fast enough to permit the incorporation of ionization effects in iterative computations, such as energy minimizations and conformational searches. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Examining methods for estimating mutual information in spiking neural systems

Mutual information enjoys wide use in the computational neuroscience community for analyzing spiking neural systems. Its direct calculation is difficult because estimating the joint stimulus-response distribution requires a prohibitive amount of data. Consequently, several techniques have appeared for bounding mutual information that rely on less data. We examine two upper bound techniques and find that they are unreliable and can introduce strong assumptions about the neural code. We also examine two lower bounds, showing that they can be very loose and possibly bear little relation to the mutual information's actual value.
Preliminary development and validation of a measure of relationship authenticity.

The authors describe the preliminary development and validation of the Authenticity in Relationships Scale. An initial pool of 37 items addressing various elements of the proposed definition of “relationship authenticity” was administered to 2 independent samples of undergraduates (N 487) who acknowledged being in a current romantic relationship. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed that 2 interpretable factors (Unacceptability of Deception, Intimate Risk Taking) effectively represented the data in both samples. Retest data over a 3-month interval were also gathered from a separate independent sample of 121 participants. Subscale scores composed of factor-unique items demonstrated good reliability and test–retest stability, correlated in expected directions with scores on several measures used to establish construct validity, and made unique contributions to the prediction of relationship satisfaction after gender, self-esteem, commitment level, and adult attachment orientations were controlled.
THE COSMOLOGICAL CONSTANT IN BRANE WORLD SCENARIOS AND STRING THEORY

The possibility of getting a zero (or small) cosmological constant within the brane world scenario is discussed in some detail. We find that the best one can do is to argue that within a certain class of compactifications (on squashed spheres) there may be a way of obtaining flat (or nearly flat) effective four dimensional theories by adjusting integration constants/parameters.
Percent Body Fat Prediction Equations for 8 to 17 year old American Children

SummaryWhat is already known about this subject It is often not feasible to measure percent body fat using precise methods such as dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Equations developed to estimate percent body fat in youth using measures that are feasible to collect in a variety of settings usually have been developed in focused samples and therefore have low generalizability. What this study adds First equations developed in a representative sample of American youth that estimate percent body fat using self-reported demographic variables as well as measured skin-folds and other anthropometric variables that are feasible to collect in a variety of settings. Equations were demonstrated to have low levels of bias by BMI category and by race/ethnicity in non-Hispanic Whites, Mexican–Americans and African–Americans. Background Percent body fat equations are usually developed in specific populations and have low generalizability. Objectives To use a nationally representative sample of the American youth population (8–17 years old) from the 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data to develop gender-specific percent body fat equations. Methods Percent body fat equations were developed for girls and boys using information on weight, height, waist circumference, triceps skin-folds, age, race/ethnicity and menses status compared to dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry. Terms were selected using forward and backward selection in regression models in a 2/3 development sample and were cross-validated in the remaining sample. Final coefficients were estimated in the full sample. Results Final equations included ten terms in girls and eight terms in boys including interactions with age and race/ethnicity. In the cross-validation sample, the adjusted R2 was 0.818 and the root mean squared error was 2.758 in girls. Comparable estimates in boys were 0.893 and 2.525. Systematic bias was not detected in the estimates by race/ethnicity or by body mass index categories. Conclusion Gender-specific percent body fat equations were developed in youth with a strong potential for generalizability and utilization by other investigators studying adiposity-related issues in youth.
ECA rule integration into an OODBMS: architecture and implementation

Making a database system active entails not only the specification of expressive ECA (event-condition-action) rules, algorithms for the detection of composite events, and rule management, but also a viable architecture for rule execution that extends a passive DBMS, and its implementation. We propose an integrated active DBMS architecture for incorporating ECA rules using the Open OODB Toolkit (from Texas Instruments). We then describe the implementation of the composite event detector, and rule execution model for object-oriented active DBMS. Finally, the functionality supported by this architecture and its extensibility are analyzed along with the experiences gained. >
Who Pays the Costs of Inflation

Inflation may be looked upon as a deferred consumption tax which reduces consumer purchasing power through high prices to compensate for earlier excess expansions of credit. A portion of this excess borrowing is by government to finance deficits. The inflation cost may then be compared by family–income class with the alternative income taxes needed to avoid inflation by eliminating the deficits. By this calculation for 1965–75, the inflation cost was highly regressive, with an effective rate of 17 percent on. families below $5,000, and 17 times greater than such families would have had to pay in income taxes. Meantime, the effective inflationary tax rate for wealthy families over $50,000 in income was a bonus, or tax rebate, of one percent.
Evaluation of technology options for LSI processing elements

A general overview of the semiconductor technologies available for the manufacture of microprocessor and bit slices is given. Both MOS as well as bipolar processes are covered. Advantages and disadvantages of PMOS, NMOS, CMOS, TTL, ECL, and I2L are discussed. Several of the more special-purpose technologies are briefly mentioned. A comparison is done on the basis of performance, cost, and application, and suggestions are made as to which technology will service best which application. A general prediction is made as to which processes will survive as main stream technologies and what developments can be expected in the near future with respect to improvements. Applications are separated into cost-sensitive low-chip-count areas and high-performance bit-slice-oriented approaches.
Substrate Nucleotide-Determined Non-Templated Addition of Adenine by Taq DNA Polymerase : Implications for PCR-Based Genotyping and Cloning

The Applied Biosystems PRISM fluorescence-based genotyping system as well as the Invitrogen TA Cloning vector system are influenced by the tendency of Taq DNA polymerase to add an adenine nucleotide to the 3' end of PCR products after extension. Incomplete addition of adenine to a majority of PCR product strands creates problems in allele-calling during genotyping and potentially diminishes the cloning efficiency of such products. Experiments reported here show that certain terminal nucleotides can either inhibit or enhance adenine addition by Taq and that PCR primer design can be used to modulate this activity. The methods we propose can substantially improve allele-calling for problematic microsatellite markers when using GENOTYPER software.
Brd4 links chromatin targeting to HPV transcriptional silencing

The E2 protein encoded by human papillomaviruses (HPVs) inhibits expression of the viral E6 oncoprotein, which, in turn, regulates p53 target gene transcription. To identify cellular proteins involved in E2-mediated transcriptional repression, we isolated an E2 complex from human cells conditionally expressing HPV-11 E2. Surprisingly, the double bromodomain-containing protein Brd4, which is implicated in cell cycle control and viral genome segregation, was found associated with E2 and conferred on E2 the ability to inhibit AP-1-dependent HPV chromatin transcription in an E2-binding site-specific manner as illustrated by in vitro reconstituted chromatin transcription experiments. Knockdown of Brd4 in human cells alleviates E2-mediated repression of HPV transcription. The E2-interacting domain at the extreme C terminus and the chromatin targeting activity of a bromodomain-containing region are both essential for the corepressor activity of Brd4. Interestingly, E2–Brd4 blocks the recruitment of TFIID and RNA polymerase II to the HPV E6 promoter region without inhibiting acetylation of nucleosomal histones H3 and H4, indicating an acetylation-dependent role of Brd4 in the recruitment of E2 for transcriptional silencing of HPV gene activity. Our finding that Brd4 is a component of the virus-assembled transcriptional silencing complex uncovers a novel function of Brd4 as a cellular cofactor modulating viral gene expression.
The implications of status, class and cultural diversity for health education practice: the case of worksite stress reduction programs

Empirical evidence for the effectiveness of traditional worksite stress reduction programs for subgroups of employees is not available. However, empirical and conceptual investigations of the influence of status, class and culture on the experience of stress provide indirect support for the hypothesis that employees with low status, of the working class or of a minority culture are the least likely to benefit from typical worksite stress programs currently conducted in the US. In order to better meet the needs of employees in these groups, a participatory empowerment approach to worksite stress reduction is recommended. This approach involves a process that is inclusive of the diverse cultural and class-based views of employees, and builds on the strengths of each. Suggestions for the implementation of a participatory empowerment approach are provided.
Longitudinal Documentation of Serum Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Collegiate Soccer Athletes Over the Course of an Athletic Season

Background:Serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (sCOMP) is a biomarker for cartilage degradation. Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) are used to document postinjury recovery and may be used to prospectively identify changes in the course of a season. It is unknown what effect intense, continuous physical activity has on sCOMP levels and PRO values in athletes over the duration of a soccer season.Hypothesis/Purpose:The purpose of this study was to longitudinally document sCOMP levels and to determine whether changes in PROs occur in collegiate soccer athletes during a season. The hypotheses tested were that sCOMP levels and PRO scores would remain stable over the duration of the spring soccer season.Study Design:Case series; level of evidence, 4.Methods:Twenty-nine National Collegiate Athletic Association Division-I soccer athletes (18 men, 11 women; age, 19.6 ± 1.2 years; height, 177.8 ± 7.4 cm; mass, 73.8 ± 10.2 kg) participated in 3 (pre-[T1], mid-[T2], and postseason [T3]) data collection sessions. S...
All-Order PMD Compensation via VIPA Based Pulse Shapers

We demonstrate full compensation of- 15 ps optical pulses, distorted by all-order polarization mode dispersion (PMD) effects to more than 60 ps, by using two virtually imaged phased-array (VIPA) based pulse shapers.
Contemporary Trends and Practice Strategies in Pediatric Occupational and Physical Therapy

This paper identifies and reflects on recent trends in pediatric occupational therapy and physical therapy practice. These trends were initially identified by the student authors for a Maternal and Child Health (MCH) leadership seminar, which was conducted as part of the postprofessional graduate program in physical therapy at the University of Washington. Trends were then reviewed and discussed among the student and faculty authors. Consensus was reached on the most important trends, which were subsequently summarized in this paper. The first part of the paper reviews the impact of these trends on current and future clinical practices in health, educational, and community-based settings. The second part of the paper offers proposed directions to meet the challenges presented by the trends in four key areas; (1) research, (2) professional education, (3) enhancing family-centered care, and (4) advocacy.
Mathematical assessment of variability in respiratory airflow patterns

Mathematical approach was used to study and determine unsteady respiratory airflow dynamics for inspiratory and expiratory breathing cycles and to analyze pulmonary data under different levels of ventilatory conditions. The work involved acquiring and processing of respiratory airflow patterns from healthy subjects under varying levels of induced obstruction. A set of mathematical equations based on the Fourier series model were developed to describe the airflow patterns. Coefficients obtained from the Fourier series model were evaluated to obtain their ranges of values for different levels of ventilations. The goal to assess the airflow mechanics is approached by numerical modeling of the respiratory air- flow network. Graphical methods were used to evaluate the goodness of fit and their statistics including the SSE, R-Square, Adj R-Sqr and RMSE. Basic statistical analysis which includes the mean and standard deviation for the airflow signals was obtained. In order to study the variability of airflow limita- tions, different size mouthpieces were used.
Deployable MEMS Devices for Minimally Invasive Monitoring of Cortical Activities

Electrocorticography (ECoG) is a powerful tool for brain activity monitoring with higher spatial resolution and efficacy than noninvasive alternatives such as scalp-based EEG electrodes and NIR spectroscopy. Despite its proven clinical and scientific utility, ECoG has seen rather limited usage due to the invasive nature of electrode placement procedures that involve risky craniotomies (Fig.1 left).© 2013 ASME
The Nature and Structure of the Confessing Church in Germany Under Hitler

Xhe first months of the Hitler regime in 1933 resulted in a Concordat with the Vatican and the enactment of a church constitution for a German Evangelical Church. Both the Catholic and Protestant Churches were thus given a new basis for their relations with the state. Within the Protestant Church a group known as the German Christians made rapid headway. They were enthusiastic supporters of the new Nazi order with its theories and ideas, notably the racial concept. But differences over the election of a Reich Bishop soon brought into the open a conflict between the German Christians and other church groups and leaders. By the time the new national synod met on 27 September 1933 to formalize the election of Hitler's confidant, Bishop Muller, an opposition group had appeared. These opposition leaders formed a Pastors' Emergency League whose purpose it was to aid fellow pastors in distress, from dues assessed on its members.1 Martin Niemoller became the leading
Neutron pickup strength in 87Sr from the (p

Differential cross section and analyzing power angular distributions have been obtained for the $^{87}(\mathit{p}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}$,d${)}^{86}$Sr reaction in two measurements using different magnetic spectrometers at incident proton energies of 94.2 and 91.8 MeV. Typical energy resolutions of 70 and 40 keV, respectively, were achieved. Optical-model parameters were obtained by fitting the elastic scattering data measured to laboratory angles of 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} for protons at 94.2 MeV and to 120\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} for deuterons at 88.0 MeV. Standard exact finite range distorted-wave Born approximation calculations using these optical-model parameters failed to describe the experimental data, while the adiabatic approximation improved the description to some extent. Orbital and total angular momenta, l and j, of the picked-up neutron were extracted from the angular distributions of the differential cross section and analyzing power for all the residual states observed. The rms radius of the 1${g}_{9/2}$ neutron orbital, obtained from magnetic electron scattering, was used in the extraction of strength for this orbital, while rms radii from Hartree-Fock calculations were used for the 2${p}_{1/2}$, 2${p}_{3/2}$, 1${f}_{5/2}$, and 1${f}_{7/2}$ orbitals. The observed 1${g}_{9/2}$ strength, spread over 20 states up to 5.4-MeV excitation, indicates a depletion of about 43% compared to simple shell-model expectations. Similarly, the observed 1${f}_{5/2}$ strength, spread over 17 states, indicates a depletion of about 32%. The weighted summed spectroscopic strength for the 1${g}_{9/2}$ orbital, deduced from the present study, is lower than that obtained from magnetic electron scattering.
Assessing Services Advertising: Some Preliminary Findings

Over the years, several guidelines have been proposed in literature for services advertising. Indeed, given the intangibility of services, most guidelines suggest various ways to enhance the tangibility of services. However, to date, no attempt has been made to assess the extent to which these guidelines are used in practice. This paper attempts to fill this void by analyzing services advertisements. Results show that associating symbols to services is most widely used. As well, catchy phrases are also frequently used in services advertising.
Radiographic and endoscopic regression of metastatic gastric cancer to the colon in the setting of 5-aminosalicylic acid use

Colonic metastases from gastric cancer are a rare phenomenon and sparsely reported in the literature. We report a case of a 59-year-old woman who presented with vague abdominal symptoms and initial computer tomography (CT) imaging suggestive of a colonic apple-core lesion with serial colonoscopic biopsies diagnostic of metastatic signet ring cell gastric adenocarcinoma. This case is unique given the evolving CT and endoscopic findings that suggested a regression in colonic wall thickening in the setting of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) use prior to histologic diagnosis.