cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fast benchtop fabrication of laminar flow chambers for advanced microscopy techniques.

Background: Fluid handling technology is acquiring an ever more prominent place in laboratory science whether it is in simple buffer exchange systems, perfusion chambers, or advanced microfluidic devices. Many of these applications remain the providence of laboratories at large institutions with a great deal of expertise and specialized equipment. Even with the expansion of these techniques, limitations remain that frequently prevent the coupling of controlled fluid flow with other technologies, such as coupling microfluidics and high-resolution position and force measurements by optical trapping microscopy. Method: Here we present a method for fabrication of multiple-input laminar flow devices that are optically clear [glass] on each face, chemically inert, reusable, inexpensive, and can be fabricated on the benchtop in approximately one hour. Further these devices are designed to allow flow regulation by a simple gravity method thus requiring no specialized equipment to drive flow. Here we use these devices to perform total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy measurements as well as position sensitive optical trapping experiments. Significance: Flow chamber technology needs to be more accessible to the general scientific community. The method presented here is versatile and robust. These devices use standard slides and coverslips making them compatible with nearly all types and models of light microscopes. These devices meet the needs of groups doing advanced optical trapping experiments, but could also be adapted by nearly any lab that has a function for solution flow coupled with microscopy.
Suppression of Radiation-Induced Tumorization in Fern Prothalli

By quantitative techniques it has been shown that the expected tumor frequency after x-irradiation of spores of the fern Pteridium aquilinum can be reduced by the addition of casein hydrolyzate or amino acids to the medium upon which the spores are germinated and grown into either prothalli or tumors.
Heritability and Repeatability for Milk Production Traits of Japanese Holsteins from an Animal Model

Records of the first three lactations of cows were obtained from the file of the Dairy Herd Testing Association in Hokkaido. The data were divided into 10 files containing approximately 24,000 cows each. The derivative-free REML method was used to estimate variances with a repeatability model. The model contained herd-year, calving month, and the linear and quadratic effects of age at calving as fixed effects; additive genetic, permanent environmental, and temporary environmental effects were the random effects. Estimates from the 10 data files wer pooled into a simple arithmetic mean. Empirical standard errors were calculated from the samples. Average estimates of heritability were the same for milk and fat yields (h2 = .30). Heritabilities for protein (h2 = .26) and SNF yields (h2 = .27) are slightly lower than those for milk and fat yields. Estimates of repeatabilities, .52 to .54, are considerably different from those now used for genetic evaluations in Japan.
LABORATORY TESTING ON CEREBROSPINAL FLUID A Reappraisal

555 consecutive cases in which cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was sent for cell count were reviewed to determine which cerebrospinal-fluid tests affect diagnosis or therapy. Among 334 cases (60%) with a normal opening pressure, cell count, and protein, 1385 additional tests were done, but such tests were useful in only 3 patients (0.9%) with multiple sclerosis. Among 148 consecutive cases of bacterial, chronic infectious, and malignant meningitis the opening pressure, cell count, or protein was abnormal in all but 3 (2 childhood bacterial meningitis and 1 cryptococcal meningitis in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). If the opening pressure, cell count, and protein are normal, no additional CSF tests are needed in most instances; however, in immunocompromised patients and in those with possible multiple sclerosis or childhood bacterial meningitis additional tests may be indicated.
Strategies in Managing Chronic Pancreatitis–Placement of Direct Percutaneous Endoscopic Jejunostomy Feeding Tubes

Patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) often have maldigestion and malnutrition. Nutrition support during acute and CP traditionally has been provided by parenteral nutrition. In acute pancreatitis, jejunal feeding may accelerate resolution of the inflammatory process, protect against infection, and improve outcomes at a reduced cost when compared with parenteral nutrition. Jejunal feeding may also be beneficial for patients with CP. Prolonged jejunal access may be achieved via a direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (DPEJ). This article will review the rationale and evidence for jejunal feeding, indications and contraindictions for DPEJ placement, and the technique and outcomes of DPEJ in patients with CP.
Differential responsiveness among "high risk" pediatric brain tumors in a pilot study of dose-intensive induction chemotherapy.

Background These factors have been predictive for progressive disease on therapy (PDOT) among pediatric brain tumors: >1.5 cm2 unresectable tumor, glioblastoma, supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor, and metastatic medulloblastoma (MBL). This pilot study sought to correlate cytoreductive response with progression free survival. Procedures Four courses of cisplatinum, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, and vincristine preceded hyperfractionated radiotherapy (RT). Maintenance chemotherapy consisted of eight cycles of carboplatin, etoposide, and vincristine. Biopsy specimens were immunohistochemically studied for labeling index, hypoxia, and multidrug resistance proteins. Results Twenty newly diagnosed patients [nine primitive neuroectodermal tumors/MBL, one choroid plexus carcinoma, eight malignant gliomas, and two anaplastic ependymomas] were treated. Ten patients, who required neuraxis irradiation, constituted the “PNET” group. These demonstrated five complete and one partial response (PR), with an estimated median progression free survival of 44 months and median survival in excess of 53 months. Patients treated with involved field irradiation were designated the “Glioma” group. Induction chemotherapy produced partial and minor responses (MRs) among 5/10. Their estimated median progression free survival was 6.9 months (P = 0.035 relative to the PNET) with a median survival of 10.7 months (P = 0.04). Age, labeling index, the presence of hypoxia, and Pgp/MDR1 expression failed to discriminate between the two groups. Conclusions This induction regimen produced a cytoreductive response in 6/10 and achieved a significant improvement in progression free survival among 7/10 in the PNET group. Unfortunately, responses among Glioma patients did not translate into durable control. Expression of the biologic factors was similar between both groups and did not correlate with diagnosis or response. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Normal appendiceal diameter in children: does choice of CT oral contrast (VoLumen versus Gastrografin) make a difference?

Appendicitis is a common pediatric emergency and one of the most common causes for surgical exploration in the pediatric patient. Imaging has become an essential tool in the evaluation of the child with suspected appendicitis, aiming to avoid misdiagnosis and to facilitate early surgery, thus decreasing potential morbidity from ruptured appendicitis. The objective of this paper is to compare the luminal diameter of the normal appendix by computed tomography (CT) when utilizing the traditionally used high-attenuation oral contrast material (OCM), Gastrografin, and the relatively new neutral agent VoLumen, with the goal of establishing normal appendiceal size parameters for this neutral OCM. Twenty-six cases of VoLumen-enhanced CT studies of the abdomen and pelvis were identified, of which 13 met the inclusion criteria. These were randomly matched to age control Gastrografin CT examinations. Appendiceal diameters (from wall to wall) were measured in three orthogonal planes and the average of these was recorded. We show that there is no statistical difference between normal appendiceal diameters in patients with a VoLumen-opacified CT versus a Gastrografin-enhanced CT (p = 0.8) being 5.0 ± 1.3 and 5.1 ± 1.5 mm, respectively. Chart review revealed no clinical suspicion of appendicitis prior to imaging or on discharge diagnosis in the patients included in this study. The rate of nonvisualization of the appendix with VoLumen in our study was 31%, which equals previously published estimates in children. In summary, as VoLumen use increases in the evaluation of abdominal pathology in the ailing child, we provide guidelines to identify the normal appendix when utilizing this oral contrast agent.
Effect of the leukotriene A4 hydrolase aminopeptidase augmentor 4-methoxydiphenylmethane in a pre-clinical model of pulmonary emphysema.

Abstract The leukotriene A 4 hydrolase enzyme is a dual functioning enzyme with the following two catalytic activities: an epoxide hydrolase function that transforms the lipid metabolite leukotriene A 4 to leukotriene B 4 and an aminopeptidase function that hydrolyzes short peptides. To date, all drug discovery efforts have focused on the epoxide hydrolase activity of the enzyme, because of extensive biological characterization of the pro-inflammatory properties of its metabolite, leukotriene B 4 . Herein, we have designed a small molecule, 4-methoxydiphenylmethane, as a pharmacological agent that is bioavailable and augments the aminopeptidase activity of the leukotriene A 4 hydrolase enzyme. Pre-clinical evaluation of our drug showed protection against intranasal elastase-induced pulmonary emphysema in murine models.
Relative Insensitivity of densitometric stenosis measurement to lumen edge determination

Abstract Coronary artery stenosis measurement from coronary arteri is dependent on lumen edge determination. In theory, dependence may be minimized by densitometric integration of the entire lumen as compared with densitometric determination of edges alone coupled with calculation of lumen size by geometric formulas. To assess the impact of approximations of lumen border position when densitometric and geometric methodare employed, external, intermediate and internal borders were defined and used with each method to calculate lumennarrowing from images of contrast-filled, asymmetrically stenotic model vessels and from clinically generated coronary arterio-grams. Actual cross-sectional narrowing of models correlated almost perfectly with densitometric narrowing for each of the three border criteria (external: r = 0.99, n = 192; intermediate: r = 0.99, n = 192; internal: r = 0.99, n =192). Lumen narrowing calculated by assuming a circular lumen geometry with a diameter equal to the distance between these identical borders correlated less well with true am namwing (external: r = 0.79, n = 192; intermediate: r = 0.83, n = 192; Internal: r = 0.70, n = 192); the residual variance of the densitometric regression was significantly less than that of the geometric regression for each o the three border criteria (external: 0.13 versus 372, p When severity of each of 21 stenotic coronary artery lesions was assessed from clinical arterlograms, the mean of the three densitometric estimations of stenosis obtained by using these border definitions correlated well with the mean of the three geometric estimations obtained by using the identical borders (r = 0.00, n = 21). However, the variance about the mean densitometric measurement of stenosis was significantly less than that about the mean geometric measurement of stenosis (4.24 versus 91.57, p
The Psychology of Worldviews

A worldview (or “world view”) is a set of assumptions about physical and social reality that may have powerful effects on cognition and behavior. Lacking a comprehensive model or formal theory up t...
Experimental study of micropolar and couple stress elasticity in compact bone in bending

Abstract Generalized continuum theories such as couple stress theory and micropolar theory have degrees of freedom in addition to those of classical elasticity. Such theories are thought to be applicable to materials with a fibrous or granular structure. In this study we observe size effects in quasistatic bending of compact bone. The effects are consistent with micropolar theory. From them we evaluate two nonclassical elastic constants.
Effects of platinum silicide thickness and annealing temperature on arsenic redistribution

Arsenic redistribution due to PtSi formation was studied with Auger sputter profiling. Pt was sputter‐deposited onto As‐doped Si wafers (1.7×1020 cm3) with Pt thicknesses of 200, 500, and 1000A. Samples of each Pt thickness were annealed at 400 °C for 30 min in a forming gas ambient and another set of samples were annealed at 550 °C for 30 min in forming gas. In all cases, As appeared at the PtSi surface and at the PtSi‐Si interface. More As was found at the surface for the higher temperature anneal and more As redistribution occurred overall for the thicker Pt films. The As redistribution is modeled by an initial pileup at the PtSi‐Si interface followed by As outdiffusion to the PtSi surface
Imaging of pediatric pathology during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts

United States Armed Forces radiologists deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq in modern military conflicts may encounter pediatric patients as a casualty of war or when providing humanitarian assistance to the indigenous population. Pediatric patients account for 4–7% of admissions at U.S. military hospitals during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. It is pertinent for radiologists in the humanitarian care team to be familiar with imaging pediatric trauma patients, the pathology endemic to the local population, and delayed presentations of congenital and developmental disorders to adequately care for these patients. The radiological manifestations of various pediatric disorders seen in the setting of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts will be explored.
Stimulation of hepatic bile secretion by dopamine.

DOPAMINE, A NATURALLY OCCURRING catecholamine and a precursor of norepinephrine, stimulatees pancreatic exocrlne secretion in t’he dog [3], but its effect on other exocrine secretory processes has not been determined. The present study was designed to test the effect of dopaminc on hepatic bile secrction in dogs. The influence of the betaadrenergic antagonist propranolol on the biliary response to dopamine was also studied.
Kinetic analysis of the folding of human growth hormone. Influence of disulfide bonds

We report the results of a stopped-flow kinetic evaluation of the folding of human growth hormone (hGH). The results are compared with those obtained for a disulfide-modified analog in which the four cysteine residues have been reduced and alkylated to form tetra-S-carbamidomethylated hGH in order to elucidate the role of disulfide bonds in the folding reaction. Multiple detection techniques were applied to monitor both refolding and unfolding processes initiated by guanidine hydrochloride concentration jumps. Using far-UV circular dichroism (CD) detection to monitor folding of hGH, we find that 70% of the secondary structure forms in a burst phase occurring within the stopped-flow dead time. Two slower phases were identified in the observable portion of the CD signal. Multiple kinetic phases were resolved when folding was monitored by intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence or near-UV absorbance as probes of tertiary structure, and the number of time constants required to fit the data depended on the hGH concentration and nature of the denaturant jump. The associated amplitudes also displayed strong dependence on the final denaturant concentration. Results obtained from the tetra-S-carbamidomethylated hGH studies demonstrate that the folding reactions of hGH are remarkably similar in the presence and absence of the disulfide bonds. Disulfide bond reduction in hGH is proposed to affect folding primarily by increasing the population of self-associated intermediate states in the folding pathway.
IG20 (MADD splice variant-5), a proapoptotic protein, interacts with DR4/DR5 and enhances TRAIL-induced apoptosis by increasing recruitment of FADD and caspase-8 to the DISC.

Recently, we identified Insulinoma–Glucagonoma clone 20 (IG20) that can render cells more susceptible to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-induced apoptosis. In addition, it can slow cell proliferation, and enhance drug- and radiation-induced cell death. TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) can selectively induce apoptosis in some cancer cells and render others susceptible to cotreatment with drugs and irradiation, with little or no effect on most normal cells. In this study, we investigated the potential of IG20 to enhance TRAIL-induced apoptosis and found that it can render cells more susceptible to TRAIL treatment through enhanced activation of caspases. Further, we showed that this effect can be suppressed by caspase inhibitors, p35 and CrmA, and a dominant-negative Fas-associated death domain-containing protein (DN-FADD). Results from colocalization and immunoprecipitation studies showed that IG20 can interact with TRAIL death receptors (DR), DR4 and DR5 and increase recruitment of FADD and caspase-8 into the TRAIL death-inducing signaling complex (DISC). These results indicate that IG20 is a novel protein that can enhance TRAIL-induced apoptosis by facilitating DISC formation.
Prehospital HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor use and reduced mortality in hemorrhagic shock due to trauma.

3-Hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl Co-A reductase inhibitors (HMG Co-A reductase inhibitors, statins) are commonly used medications for the control of serum cholesterol. Recent data suggests that these medications also modify the inflammatory pathways in sepsis, septic shock, and hemorrhagic shock due to ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms. Statin use in hemorrhagic shock due to trauma, however, has conflicting data, with one study showing improvement, but only in certain subsets of patients. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients from our institution’s trauma registry database from January 2000 to December 2008. We included patients with an age greater than 45 years and an Injury Severity Score (ISS) greater than 15 with evidence of shock as follows: hypotension, elevated serum lactate, base deficit, metabolic acidosis, or objective evidence of end-organ malperfusion. We excluded patients with devastating head injury, patients with pre-existing advance directives directing against life-sustaining measures, patients for whom family or health care proxies withdrew support in 24 h or less, and patients who succumbed to their injuries in the first 24 h in the hospital. We compared age, gender, mortality, statin use, aspirin use, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores. Mortality in the group without prehospital statin use was 38.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 28.4–48.8%) and mortality in the group with prehospital statin use was 8.3% (95% CI: 2.13–22.5%, P = 0.0009). The absolute risk reduction was 29.8% and the relative risk reduction was 78.1%. Survivors were statistically significantly younger than nonsurvivors in the group without prehospital statin use, but not in the group with documented prehospital statin use. There was no similar benefit to aspirin use. There were no significant differences in the SOFA scores, hospital length of stay (HLOS), or intensive care unit length of stay (ICU LOS) between statin users and nonusers. Prehospital HMG Co-A reductase use was associated with improved survival in a population with severe trauma and evidence of ongoing hemorrhagic shock.
Improved segregation of simultaneous talkers differentially affects perceptual and cognitive capacity demands for recognizing speech in competing speech.

Perception of speech in competing speech is facilitated by spatial separation of the target and distracting speech, but this benefit may arise at either a perceptual or a cognitive level of processing. Load theory predicts different effects of perceptual and cognitive (working memory) load on selective attention in flanker task contexts, suggesting that this paradigm may be used to distinguish levels of interference. Two experiments examined interference from competing speech during a word recognition task under different perceptual and working memory loads in a dual-task paradigm. Listeners identified words produced by a talker of one gender while ignoring a talker of the other gender. Perceptual load was manipulated using a nonspeech response cue, with response conditional upon either one or two acoustic features (pitch and modulation). Memory load was manipulated with a secondary task consisting of one or six visually presented digits. In the first experiment, the target and distractor were presented at different virtual locations (0° and 90°, respectively), whereas in the second, all the stimuli were presented from the same apparent location. Results suggest that spatial cues improve resistance to distraction in part by reducing working memory demand.
Chemically sensitive field-effect transistor with polyaniline-ionic liquid composite gate.

A sensing layer for a chemically sensitive field-effect transistor (CHEMFET) based on a composite of camphorsulfonic acid (CSA)-doped polyaniline (PANI) and the room-temperature ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)-imide, BMI(Tf2N), has been developed and characterized for the sensing of ammonia gas. The work function responses of the cast films with and without IL were analyzed by “stepwise” changes of ammonia gas concentration from 0.5 to 694 ppm in air as a function of the mole fraction of IL to PANI. The PANI·CSA/BMI(Tf2N) layers showed enhanced sensitivities, lower detection limits, and shorter response times. There is experimental evidence that PANI forms a charge-transfer complex with imidazolium cation.
Production of γ Interferon by Cultured Human Lymphocytes Stimulated with a Purified Membrane Protein (P30) from Toxoplasma gondii

Purified P30, the principal iodinatable membrane protein of Toxoplasma gondii, induced proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from seropositive individuals but not from seronegative individuals. Culture supernatants from stimulated cells of seropositive individuals blocked the growth of T. gondii in human fibroblasts, whereas those from antibody-negative individuals failed to do so. The anti-toxoplasmic effect of culture supernatants correlated with the induction of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and the destruction of tryptophan, as previously described for fibroblasts treated with recombinant gamma interferon (IFN-gamma). The anti-toxoplasmic effect was blocked by monoclonal antibody to IFN-gamma. The protective effect correlated with the amount of IFN-gamma in the culture supernatant, as measured by inhibition of viral CPE. Thus, the level of IFN-gamma appears to be an important immune factor in protection against toxoplasmosis in humans.
Optimal curing for thermoset matrix composites: Thermochemical considerations

A design sensitivity analysis is used to optimize the applied wall temperature vs. time in autoclave curing for thermoset matrix composites. The calculation minimizes they cure time and obeys a maximum temperature constraint in the composite. The transient, coupled thermal and cure problem is solved by a finite element method. Design sensitivity information is extracted efficiently from this primal analysis, based on an analytical, direct differentiation approach. The sensitivities are then used with gradient-based optimization techniques to systematically improve the curing process. The optimal cure cycles for different numbers of temperature dwells may be similar (for a 2 mm thick part) or very different (for a 4 cm thick part), depending on the nature of the problem. In the latter case a large reduction of cure time is obtained when a three-dwell cure cycle is used, and the optimizer has more flexibility to adjust the cure cycle. This systematic optimization approach provides a powerful and practical means of optimizing composite manufacturing processes.
The evolution of mechanical property change in irradiated austenitic stainless steels

Abstract The evolution of mechanical properties in austenitic stainless steels during irradiation is reviewed. Changes in strength, ductility and fracture toughness are strongly related to the evolution of the damage microstructure and microstructurally-based models for strengthening reasonably correlate the data. Irradiation-induced defects promote work softening and flow localization which in turn leads to significant reductions in ductility and fracture toughness beyond about 10 dpa. The effects of irradiation on fatigue appear to be modest except at high temperature where helium embrittlement becomes important. The swelling-independent component of irradiation creep strain increases linearly with dose and is relatively insensitive to material variables and irradiation temperature, except at low temperatures where accelerated creep may occur as a result of low vacancy mobility. Creep rupture life is a strong function of helium content, but is less sensitive to metallurgical conditions. Irradiation-induced stress corrosion cracking appears to be related to the evolution of radiation-induced segregation/depletion at grain boundaries, and hence may not be significant at low irradiation temperatures.
Novel SIRT1 mutation linked to autoimmune diabetes in humans.

Sirtuins are best known for their role in aging but also regulate many different biological processes. A study in this issue of Cell Metabolism (Biason-Lauber et al., 2013) now identifies a mutation in human SIRT1 causing a familial form of autoimmune diabetes.
Identification of the putative bryostatin polyketide synthase gene cluster from "Candidatus Endobugula sertula", the uncultivated microbial symbiont of the marine bryozoan Bugula neritina

The bryostatins are protein kinase C modulators with unique structural features and potential anticancer and neurological activities. These complex polyketides were isolated from the marine bryozoan Bugula neritina, but recent studies indicate that they are produced by the uncultured symbiotic bacterium "Candidatus Endobugula sertula" ("E. sertula"). Here we present the putative biosynthetic genes: five modular polyketide synthase (PKS) genes, a discrete acyltransferase, a beta-ketosynthase, a hydroxy-methyl-glutaryl CoA synthase (HMG-CS), and a methyltransferase. The cluster was sequenced in two closely related "E. sertula" strains from different host species. In one strain the gene cluster is contiguous, while in the other strain it is split into two loci, with one locus containing the PKS genes and the other containing the accessory genes. Here, we propose a hypothesis for the biosynthesis of the bryostatins. Thirteen PKS modules form the core macrolactone ring, and the pendent methyl ester groups are added by the HMG-CS gene cassette. The resulting hypothetical compound bryostatin 0 is the common basis for the 20 known bryostatins. As "E. sertula" is to date uncultured, heterologous expression of this biosynthetic gene cluster has the potential of producing the bioactive bryostatins in large enough quantities for development into a pharmaceutical.
Anal fin regeneration in thiouracil‐treated guppies

Male guppies were kept in a solution of 0.03% thiouracil for 45 days. At this time the gonopodium was cut back and then allowed to regenerate while the fish were maintained in one of the following solutions: (1) thiouracil, (2) aged tap water, (3) 0.01% thyroid powder, (4) 1:500,000 ethynyl testosterone, (5) ethynyl testosterone and thyroid powder, (6) ethynyl testosterone and thiouracil, (7) thyroid powder and thiouracil. Regeneration was greatly inhibited in solutions 1, 2, 5 and 7. Regeneration was normal or almost so in solutions 3, 4 and 6. It is concluded that the thiouracil-induced inhibition of regeneration of the gonopodium of the guppy is due to the effect of thiouracil on the formation or release of testicular hormones.
Probing the Electronic Structures of [Cu2(μ-XR2)]n+ Diamond Cores as a Function of the Bridging X Atom (X = N or P) and Charge (n = 0,1, 2)

A series of dicopper diamond core complexes that can be isolated in three different oxidation states ([Cu_2(μ-XR_2)]^(n+), where n = 0, 1, 2 and X = N or P) is described. Of particular interest is the relative degree of oxidation of the respective copper centers and the bridging XR_2 units, upon successive oxidations. These dicopper complexes feature terminal phosphine and either bridging amido or phosphido donors, and as such their metal−ligand bonds are highly covalent. Cu K-edge, Cu L-edge, and P K-edge spectroscopies, in combination with solid-state X-ray structures and DFT calculations, provides a complementary electronic structure picture for the entire set of complexes that tracks the involvement of a majority of ligand-based redox chemistry. The electronic structure picture that emerges for these inorganic dicopper diamond cores shares similarities with the Cu_2(μ-SR)_2 Cu_A sites of cytochrome c oxidases and nitrous oxide reductases.
School Climate in White and Black Elementary Schools: A Comparative Study.

Population Age/Grade Level: Child, Elementary School Population Race/Ethnicity: All Population Gender: Male, Female Population Location: USA Additional Information: Examined school climate and academic achievement differences between white and black elementary schools School Climate School Environment School Performance School Achievement Late Childhood Middle Childhood Elementary School Student Social Development Youth Development Child Development Environmental Factors Racial Factors Caucasian Child African American Child Black-White Comparison 10-00
Observation of molecular vibrations in real time.

A Comment on the Letter by M. J. Rosker, F. W. Wise, and C. L. Tang, Phys. Rev. Lett. 57, 321 (1986).
Emergence of psychosis and depression in the longitudinal evaluation of Alzheimer's disease

Prospective psychiatric evaluations were performed as part of a longitudinal study of 32 demented patients who met criteria for the histopathological diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease at the time of death. Psychosis and major depressive disorder emerged in 15 (47%) and 7 (22%) patients, respectively, none of whom had a history of either behavioral disorder prior to the onset of dementia. The prevalence of psychosis increased with increasing dementia severity, was associated with more rapid cognitive decline, and once present was often persistent. In this regard, the emergence of psychosis in the context of Alzheimer's disease appears to be a poor prognostic sign. In contrast to its relationship to cognitive impairment, psychosis was not associated with an increased mortality rate.
Acceptance and Species Identification of Turkey Steaks Prepared with Beef, Pork, Lamb, and Turkey Fat

Fabricated extruded steaks were prepared from turkey meat, salt, phosphate, and water plus 15% beef, pork, lamb, or turkey fat. The grilled samples recieved relatively high hedonic scores from a sensory panel. The flavor, juiciness, and overall quality of the samples made with pork, beef, and turkey fat were preferred significantly over the samples made with lamb fat. Panel members tended to consider all samples as being pork flavored. Beef, pork, or turkey fat could be used as the fat in a fabricated, extruded steak without affecting the relative acceptability of the cooked product.
Multiple Antipsychotic Medication Prescribing Patterns

OBJECTIVE:To assess current prescribing practices regarding concomitant use of antipsychotic medications and summarize the reasons clinicians may prescribe >1 scheduled agent.METHODS:The pharmacy identified patients at William R Sharpe Jr Hospital currently receiving antipsychotic therapy. All patients receiving ≥2 scheduled antipsychotic agents concomitantly were included in the study. Data regarding the demographics, current medication combinations used, history of therapeutic regimens tried, and prescriber rationale were prospectively evaluated for a 60-day period beginning December 13, 2000, and ending February 10, 2001. Prescriber rationale for using >1 antipsychotic simultaneously and other drug therapy regimens that had been tried were compared with chart documentation and published therapeutic guidelines for schizophrenia.RESULTS:Over a 60-day surveillance period, 206 patients were placed on scheduled antipsychotic medications, with 85 (41%) receiving at least 2 agents. Responders to a prescriber ...
Isotopic evolution of Mauna Loa and the chemical structure of the Hawaiian plume

[1] New He isotopic data from the HSDP pilot hole core, lava accumulation rate models, and data from the literature are used to develop a 200,000 year isotopic record for the lava erupted from the Mauna Loa volcano. This record, coupled with an analogous record from Mauna Kea from the Hawaii Scientific Drilling Project (HSDP) pilot hole project and other literature data from the GEOROC database, are used to construct a “map” of lava isotopic compositions for the island of Hawaii. The isotopic map is converted to a map of the He and Nd isotopic compositions of melts from the mantle plume, which can be compared with a published melt supply map derived from geodynamic modeling. The resulting map of the plume indicates that values of helium 3He/4He > 20 Ra are confined to the core of the plume (radius ≈ 20–25 km) and correspond to potential temperatures >1565°C, suggesting the He isotopic signal is derived from deep in the mantle. The 3He/4He map has closed contours down to 10 Ra; the contours are teardrop-shaped and elongated in the general direction of plate motion. The closed contours indicate that most of the plume He signal is lost during the early stages of melting, which is consistent with helium behaving as a strongly incompatible element (KHe ≤ 0.001). The eNd contours (and by inference the contours for Sr, Pb, Hf, and Os) do not all close on the scale of the island of Hawaii but instead partially follow material flow lines within the plume beneath the lithosphere. The plume signal for Nd extends circa 100 km in the direction of plate motion, which is consistent with the moderately incompatible behavior of Nd (KNd ≈ 0.02). Downstream from the plume core epicenter, plume Nd occurs with asthenospheric He; this could be mistaken for an additional plume component, whereas it may be only a manifestation of differing incompatibility. Data from Mauna Loa suggest the presence of a low-3He/4He plume component that has low eNd and high 87Sr/86Sr. The plume map suggests that this component may be a blob (circa 20 km scale), located between Mauna Loa and Hualalai and separated from the main plume core by a zone of more asthenosphere-like material. The HSDP data preclude a proposed model where this material represents a ring of entrained material from the lower mantle. The orientation of the elongation of contours on the plume He and Nd isotope maps (∼N45°W) does not match the modern plate motion as measured by GPS (N65°W) nor does it match the trend of the ridge axis between Maui and Loihi (N30°W). The geochemical evidence, as well as the locations and growth histories of the Hawaiian volcanoes, suggest that the plume, as well as the Pacific plate, has been moving at a velocity of several centimeters per year over the past 1 to 2 million years.
The Task Field Model Of Organization Analysis and Design

Although complex organizations have multiple goals and many times these cannot be prioritized, no framework of organization design explicitly ac-knowledges these facts or handles the inherent organization design con-flicts. The task field model of organization proposed in this paper provides a framework for handling the multiple goals and their associated organi-zational requirements. It can be used in organization analysis, design, and change programs. To demonstrate its use in a difficult design problem, the model is applied in this paper to analysis of a teaching hospital.
Reliability of the Q-Sort Inventory of Parenting Behaviors

Test-retest reliability on the Q-Sort Inventory of Parenting Behaviors was obtained by using a sample of 30 mothers of 3-year-old children. The inventory consists of 72 statements, each of which describes a different parenting behavior and utilizes a forced-choice format. Mothers independently sorted the statements into nine ordered categories along a continuum from "most like me" to "least like me" and repeated the sort 2 weeks later.Analysis of variance and Pearson product-moment correlations indicated that the within-subject correlation between first and second sorts was .72. Of this total variability, .37 was common to all mothers. This variability was probably engendered by variance in social desirability of the items. Of the variance, 35% was due to reliable differences among respondents in the profile of item responses.
Sniffers: Fluid-Dynamic Sampling for Olfactory Trace Detection in Nature and Homeland Security—The 2004 Freeman Scholar Lecture

Vertebrates aim their noses at regions of interest and sniff in order to acquire olfactory trace signals that carry information on food, reproduction, kinship, danger, etc. Invertebrates likewise position antennae in the surrounding fluid to acquire such signals. Some of the fluid dynamics of these natural sensing processes has been examined piecemeal, but the overall topic of sniffing is not well investigated or understood. It is, however, important for several human purposes, especially sampling schemes for sensors to detect chemical and biological traces in the environment. After establishing some background, a general appraisal is given of nature’s accomplishments in the fluid dynamics of sniffing. Opportunities are found for innovation through biomimicry. Since few artificial (“electronic”) noses can currently sniff in the natural sense, ways are considered to help them sniff effectively. Security issues such as explosive trace detection, landmine detection, chemical and biological sniffing, and people sampling are examined. Other sniffing applications including medical diagnosis and leak detection are also considered. Several research opportunities are identified in order to advance this topic of biofluid dynamics. Though written from a fluid dynamics perspective, this review is intended for a broad audience.
Sensitivity and offset calibration for the beam position monitors at the Advanced Photon Source

The beam position monitors (BPMs) play a critically important role in commissioning and operation of accelerators. Accurate determination of the offsets relative to the magnetic axis and sensitivities of individual BPMs is thus needed. We will describe in this paper the schemes for calibrating all of the 360 BPMs for sensitivity and offset in the 7-GeV Advanced Photon Source (APS) storage ring and the results. For the sensitivity calibration, 2-dimensional map of the BPM response in the aluminum vacuum chamber is obtained theoretically, which is combined with the measured nonlinear response of the BPM electronics. A set of a-dimensional polynomial coefficients is then obtained to approximate the result analytically. The offset calibration of the BPMs is done relative to the magnetic axis of the quadrupoles using the beam. This avoids the problem arising from various mechanical sources as well as the offset in the processing electronics. The measurement results for the resolution and long-term drift of the BPM electronics shows 0.06-/spl mu/m//spl radic/(Hz) resolution and 2-/spl mu/m/hr drift over a period of 1.5 hrs.
Larvae and Pupae of the Species of Cryptochironomus (Diptera) in Michigan1

Collections from several diversified habitats in Michigan yielded larvae belonging to the genus Cryptochironomus. Subsequent collections were made to obtain the immature forms for laboratory cultures from which the adult midge was obtained. The reared adults were then associated with their respective immature forms. Information obtained from the associated specimens and museum specimens of other investigators formed the basis of a key for the Michigan species. Thus, the larval and pupal stages for C. sorex, C. fulvus, C. blarina, C. digitatus, and one new provisional species are given. In addition to the larval and pupal morphology, other pertinent facts regarding the biology of the species are given when known.
Revitalizing Urban Research Can Cultural Explanation Bring Us Back from the Periphery

This article lays out an argument that if the urban politics field has become marginalized, it is because the field has neglected to develop a contemporary, theoretically grounded version of cultur...
Cloud Computing: Overview and Risk Analysis

ABSTRACT : We provide an overview of cloud computing: evolution, benefits, and challenges. Then we examine the risk characteristics identified in accounting and auditing literature by comparing a ...
Comparative techniques for determining cellular iron distribution in brain tissues

Iron is essential for a number of normal brain functions and accumulates in high concentrations in specific regions of the brain. In pathological states, it may further accumulate in these and other areas that are typically low in iron content. The contribution of excess iron to potential central nervous system damage through its ability to donate an electron and to promote oxygen free radical formation has made the nature, location, extent, and process of iron deposition in the brain important areas of investigation. Nevertheless, there is relatively little information currently available on the cellular and subcellular distribution of iron in the central nervous system in either normal or diseased states. We describe and compare a number of the currently available techniques by which iron can be detected within the cellular components of the brain. Histochemical approaches, primarily in the form of the Perls' stain, yields information only on iron in its ferric state and is a relatively insensitive technique. Electron microscopy with x-ray spectrometry can provide positive identification of iron but has limitations regarding morphological verification of the specific cells being probed and also has a relatively high lowest detection limit. Secondary ion mass spectrometry and proton-induced x-ray spectrometry are both expensive, highly complex techniques with greater detection sensitivity, but they have problems identifying the cellular components being analyzed. Finally, laser microprobe mass analysis combines histological localization and identification of probe sites in plastic-embedded histological sections with detection limits in the single part per million range.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Reduces Muscle Pain Caused by Eccentric Exercise

Ginger has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects in rodents, but its effect on human muscle pain is uncertain. Heat treatment of ginger has been suggested to enhance its hypoalgesic effects. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 11 days of raw (study 1) and heat-treated (study 2) ginger supplementation on muscle pain. Study 1 and 2 were identical double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized experiments with 34 and 40 volunteers, respectively. Participants consumed 2 grams of either raw (study 1) or heated (study 2) ginger or placebo for 11 consecutive days. Participants performed 18 eccentric actions of the elbow flexors to induce pain and inflammation. Pain intensity, perceived effort, plasma prostaglandin E2, arm volume, range-of- motion and isometric strength were assessed prior to and for 3 days after exercise. Results Raw (25%, -.78 SD, P = .041) and heat-treated (23%, -.57 SD, P = .049) ginger resulted in similar pain reductions 24 hours after eccentric exercise compared to placebo. Smaller effects were noted between both types of ginger and placebo on other measures. Daily supplementation with ginger reduced muscle pain caused by eccentric exercise, and this effect was not enhanced by heat treating the ginger. Perspective: This study demonstrates that daily consumption of raw and heat-treated ginger re- sulted in moderate-to-large reductions in muscle pain following exercise-induced muscle injury. Our findings agree with those showing hypoalgesic effects of ginger in osteoarthritis patients and further demonstrate ginger's effectiveness as a pain reliever.
Image understanding systems

This paper provides a brief summary of the goals, methods, and achievements of the Image Understanding field. Some details of work at USC are provided. The tasks described include automated mapping from aerial image, image to map correspondence and 3-D vision for robotics applications. This paper provides only a brief summary, more details can be found in other reports and publications.
Finger surface as a biometric identifier

We present a novel approach for personal identification and identity verification which utilizes 3D finger surface features as a biometric identifier. Using 3D range images of the hand, a surface representation for the index, middle, and ring finger is calculated and used for comparison to determine subject similarity. We use the curvature based shape index to represent the fingers' surface. Gallery and probe shape index signatures are compared using the normalized correlation coefficient to compute a match score. A large unique database of hand images supports the research. We use data sets obtained over time to examine the performance of each individual finger surface as a biometric identifier as well as the performance obtained when combining them. Both identification and verification experiments are conducted. In addition, probe and gallery sets sizes are increased to further improve recognition performance in our experiments. Our approach yields good results for a first-of-its-kind biometric technique, indicating that this approach warrants further research.
A novel approach: chest wall cyst excised by MIS

We present a 62-year-old male with a recurrent cyst in the left posterior chest. MRI demonstrated a fluid-filled cavity measuring 23 cm in length and 11 cm in width. The cyst was aspirated demonstrating clear serous fluid. However, the cyst returned and he was referred to us for further treatment. The cyst was excised through a minimally invasive approach using a combination of blunt and electrocautery dissection. The cystic lesion was circumferentially freed from the trapezius muscle and cervical structures. Pathologic examination revealed a benign, fibrous-walled cyst without a true epithelial lining. There are no published reports of a deep thoracic wall cyst resembling this case in terms of histology or location. This patient is free of recurrence 1 year later.
Does Sharecropping Affect Long-term Investment? Evidence from West Bengal's Tenancy Reforms

In India, land reform has been high on the political agenda since independence in 1947, and early efforts at abolishing intermediaries are widely credited with having brought about significant social benefits. The most prominent type is tenancy reform. As it does not extinguish landlords’ ownership rights, tenants — who may have benefited from rent ceilings and cannot be evicted — still have to pay annual share rent. This weakness of rights may fail to create the incentives for effort supply and long-term investment that have underpinned the success of land reforms elsewhere, effectively adding a dynamic inefficiency to the disincentives created by the Marshallian inefficiency of sharecropping. This could imply that despite the high political price of implementing land reform in India, the schemes so far have failed to reach their productivity and poverty reduction potential.
The CONTOUR spacecraft power subsystem

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) has developed the CONTOUR (Comet Nucleus Tour) spacecraft for the NASA discovery satellite program. The spacecraft is an octagonal-shaped cylinder with 26.5% efficient triple-junction solar cells mounted on all eight side-panels and one top panel. The coarse solar power control is done using digital shunts while fine control is performed using six-stage sequential analog dissipative shunts with shunt dissipators mounted on the dust shield. The power system electronic provides redundant linear battery chargers and NiCd battery. NiCd battery is required to support lunch, Earth flybys and emergency conditions.