cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Creating Digital Activity Schedules to Promote Independence and Engagement

Photographic activity schedules have been demonstrated to be effective in helping individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities learn how to complete both simple and complex sequences of activities without prompting from adults. Although the majority of research studies demonstrating the effectiveness of activity schedules have used schedule books composed of static printed pictures attached to physical pages, recently researchers have begun to demonstrate the effectiveness of technology-based activity schedules. In the current article, we provide a task analysis for creating both simple and complex digital activity schedules using Google Slides, a freely available, web-based technology that operates on a variety of digital platforms. We also provide suggestions for how behavior analysts can train parents to use this technology with their children using telehealth procedures.
Leadership/Teamwork Self-Efficacy Scale: Longitudinal Confirmatory Factor Analysis in the Context of an Energy Science Intervention:

The Leadership/Teamwork Self-Efficacy Scale has been shown to be an effective tool for measuring interpersonal competence beliefs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics academic setti...
Hormonal Contraceptives and Dermatology

Hormones play a significant role in normal skin physiology and many dermatologic conditions. As contraceptives and hormonal therapies continue to advance and increase in popularity, it is important for dermatologists to understand their mechanisms and dermatologic effects given the intricate interplay between hormones and the skin. This article reviews the dermatologic effects, both adverse and beneficial, of combined oral contraceptives (COCs), hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, injections, and vaginal rings. Overall, the literature suggests that progesterone-only methods, such as implants and hormonal IUDs, tend to trigger or worsen many conditions, including acne, hirsutism, alopecia, and even rosacea. Therefore, it is worthwhile to obtain detailed medication and contraceptive histories on patients with these conditions. There is sufficient evidence that hormonal contraceptives, particularly COCs and vaginal rings, may effectively treat acne and hirsutism. While there are less data to support the role of hormonal contraceptives in other dermatologic disorders, they demonstrate potential in improving androgenetic alopecia and hidradenitis suppurativa.
Emergent phenomena and proximity effects in two-dimensional magnets and heterostructures.

Ultrathin van der Waals materials and their heterostructures offer a simple, yet powerful platform for discovering emergent phenomena and implementing device structures in the two-dimensional limit. The past few years has pushed this frontier to include magnetism. These advances have brought forth a new assortment of layered materials that intrinsically possess a wide variety of magnetic properties and are instrumental in integrating exchange and spin–orbit interactions into van der Waals heterostructures. This Review Article summarizes recent progress in exploring the intrinsic magnetism of atomically thin van der Waals materials, manipulation of their magnetism by tuning the interlayer coupling, and device structures for spin- and valleytronic applications. This Review summarizes recent progress in exploring the intrinsic magnetism of atomically thin van der Waals materials, manipulation of their magnetism by tuning the interlayer coupling, and device structures for spin- and valleytronic applications.
Individual’s gender ideology and happiness in China

Gender ideologies encompass normative beliefs about how men and women should behave in certain contexts. Although many studies have examined factors predicting individuals’ gender ideologies, littl...
Antibiotics and temperature interact to disrupt soil communities and nutrient cycling

Abstract Soils contain immense diversity and support terrestrial ecosystem functions, but they face both anthropogenic and environmental stressors. While many studies have examined the influence of individual stressors on soils, how these perturbations will interact to shape soil communities and their ability to cycle nutrients is far less resolved. Here, we hypothesized that when soils experience multiple stressors their ability to maintain connected and stable communities is disrupted, leading to shifts in C and N pools. To test this, we maintained soils across three temperatures representative of seasonal variability (15, 20 and 30 °C) and introduced high or low doses of the common livestock antibiotic Monensin. We monitored respiration and examined changes to microbial communities through amplicon sequencing and network analyses. We also examined soil C and N pools to understand how temperature and antibiotics shape ecosystem function. We found that antibiotics and rising soil temperatures interacted to disrupt bacterial assemblages and network structure, allowing for a rise in fungal dominance and change in soil nutrient stoichiometry. Antibiotics alone decreased bacterial diversity, abundance, total extractable N, and microbial carbon use efficiency, while increasing bioavailable C. Higher temperatures independently homogenized fungal community composition, decreased dissolved organic C and increased soil respiration rates. These results emphasize that as soils encounter multiple stressors, ecosystem efficiency, stability and resilience may be diminished.
Patient Access, Utilization, and Perceptions of Neighborhood and Built Environment Resources.

There is a critical need to explore bariatric patients’ perceptions of existing neighborhood and built environment resources and supports to assist with postoperative behavior change and weight loss maintenance. The objective of this study was to survey postoperative patients to determine neighborhood food retail, fitness facility, and options for outdoor activity access, utilization, satisfaction, and perceptions of resources. A convenience sample of postoperative patients from a single academic surgical center in the USA (N = 44) completed an online survey about access, utilization, satisfaction, and safety for food retail, fitness facility, and outdoor activity options in their neighborhoods. Analysis included descriptives (frequency, percent, Chi-square), and independent samples t tests and ANOVA determined differences based on race, insurance status, geographic location, and receipt of governmental assistance programs. Open-ended questions were analyzed using summative content analysis. Patients reported the highest access to lower-cost national food retailers and fitness facilities. The most prevalent challenge in finding food products to meet patients’ goals was financial (39%). Patients’ top suggestions for fitness facilities included training staff/facilities (59%) and trainers (35%) in postoperative patient care and exercise. The highest access for outdoor activity options was for walking/running trails, city/metro parks, and sidewalks. Significant differences in access, utilization, and safety were found based on geographic location, receipt of at least one assistant program, and race. The development of targeted resources may benefit patients in non-suburban areas and who receive governmental assistant programs to increase safety of outdoor options and access to lower-cost food retailers and to increase utilization of lower-cost fitness facilities.
Quantitative Analysis of Third-harmonic Neutral-point Current, its Impacts, and Mitigation in Three-level NPC Inverters

Three-level neutral-point clamped inverter (3LNPCI) is a widely popular topology in the realm of multi-level inverters. The low frequency third-harmonic neutral-point (NP) current in a 3L-NPCI and the corresponding NP-voltage oscillations on the DC-side are known characteristics of the 3L-inverter. In this paper, a quantitative analysis is presented for characterizing the DC-side third-harmonic phenomena observed in 3LNPCI. Departing from the traditional space-vector perspective, an alternate formulation based on time-domain functions and Fourier-series is adopted, and an analytical expression for the 3rd harmonic NP-current is derived as a function of inverter modulation index and load power factor–this is applicable for all conventional carrier-based PWM techniques employed on 3LNPCIs. The corresponding NP-voltage variation on the DC-side and its translation onto the AC-side as low-frequency harmonic distortions in the inverter output voltage are analytically quantified. Based on this, a model-based observer is designed to mitigate the AC side distortions through accurate estimation of the disturbance variables and feed-forward cancellation. Experimental results along with a full-order switched model simulation of a three-phase 3L-NPCI system validate the theoretical analysis and mitigation technique proposed in this paper.
On the Equations of Fiber Spinning in Nonisothermal Viscous Flow

We discuss the equations of nonisothermal fiber spinning for viscous fluids. Existence, uniqueness and regularity of solutions will be established. Our solution strategy employs weak* compactness arguments together with the Contraction Mapping Principle in suitable Banach spaces. Energy estimates of the solutions for certain boundary-initial value problems for the first-order hyperbolic equation form the basis of our results.
Rearrangements of organometallic compounds: XI. Duality of mechanism for 1,2-aryl migrations in the oxidation of tetraarylborate salts

Abstract Individual oxidative couplings of potassium phenyl(tri- m -tolyl)borate and potassium phenyl(tri- p -tolyl)borate with transition metal ions, organic oxidants and halogen sources revealed a duality of mechanism, namely electron-transfer and electrophilic pathways. Not only the ratios of the respective bitolyls and methylbiphenyls obtained, but also the behavior of potassium bis( o , o ′-biphenylene)-borate, showed that bridging of the migrating group is important for iodine oxidations, but not for Ce IV oxidations.
A class of nonstandard numerical methods for autonomous dynamical systems

Abstract A nonstandard finite difference method for solving autonomous dynamical systems is constructed. The proposed numerical method is computationally efficient and easy to implement. It is designed so that it preserves positivity of solutions and the local behavior of the dynamical system near equilibria.
Design and evaluation of serial-hybrid vehicle energy gauges

This paper describes a usability study of serial-hybrid vehicle energy gauge designs. Eight gauges that were modified by design format (bars, dials), color (one color, two colors) and the type of information present (range information, no range information) were tested in a driving simulator under urban/suburban traffic conditions. Participants answered questions about the state of the battery and fuel tank separately and also answered questions that involved combining the information from both sources of energy. Comprehension was assessed based on accuracy and response times to the questions when a gauge was presented. Participants also completed subjective ratings of the gauges. Driving performance was assessed to determine if driving was affected by responding to gauge presentations. Overall, the results indicated that the bar design using two colors and including range information performed best when integration of the two energy sources was required. These attributes were also most preferred by participants in this study.
Managing thesis anxiety: A faculty-librarian partnership to guide off-campus graduate education students through the thesis process

This paper describes a pilot study, which investigates the faculty-librarian collaboration formed in a graduate education program. The levels of anxiety experienced by off-campus graduate students are examined to determine whether the partnership has had any effect. Quality of the thesis literature reviews produced by these students is also studied. Trends suggested by the data are reported.
The Pumping Lemma for CFLs

There is a pumping lemma for CFLs similar to the one for regular sets. It can be used in the same way to show that certain sets are not context-free. Here is the official version; there will also be a corresponding game with the demon that will be useful in practice.
Experimental and theoretical analysis of the elasto-plastic oblique impact of a rod with a flat

Abstract In this study, the elasto-plastic oblique impact of a rod with a flat has been analyzed experimentally and theoretically. Nine different flattening and indentation contact models have been used to simulate the impact. The models have been compared theoretically in terms of the linear and the angular motion, the contact force during the impact, and the permanent deformation. A 3D infrared camera has been used in order to capture the motion of the rod before and after the impact. Experimental results for the coefficient of restitution and the rebound angular velocity have been compared with the presented models. Selecting the appropriate contact model is important on predicting the motion of the system for the simulations. For the impact angle θ = 45 ° our previous model matches the experimental results. For the impact angle θ = 17.2 ° it has been shown that all of the presented contact models show smaller values for coefficient of restitution and rebound angular velocity compare to the experiments.
Prewarping techniques in imaging: applications in nanotechnology and biotechnology

In all imaging systems, the underlying process introduces undesirable distortions that cause the output signal to be a warped version of the input. When the input to such systems can be controlled, pre-warping techniques can be employed which consist of systematically modifying the input such that it cancels out (or compensates for) the process losses. In this paper, we focus on the mask (reticle) design problem for 'optical micro-lithography', a process similar to photographic printing used for transferring binary circuit patterns onto silicon wafers. We use a pixel-based mask representation and model the above process as a cascade of convolution (aerial image formation) and thresholding (high-contrast recording) operations. The pre-distorted mask is obtained by minimizing the norm of the difference between the 'desired' output image and the 'reproduced' output image. We employ the regularization framework to ensure that the resulting masks are close-to-binary as well as simple and easy to fabricate. Finally, we provide insight into two additional applications of pre-warping techniques. First is 'e-beam lithography', used for fabricating nano-scale structures, and second is 'electronic visual prosthesis' which aims at providing limited vision to the blind by using a prosthetic retinally implanted chip capable of electrically stimulating the retinal neuron cells.
An environmental chamber investigation of chlorine-enhanced ozone formation in Houston, Texas

[1] Three identical mobile chambers were designed and constructed for use in outdoor and field investigations. These chambers were employed during the Texas Air Quality Study (TEXAQS 2000) in Houston, Texas. Experiments were performed to investigate the ability of chlorine atoms (Cl·) to enhance ozone formation in captive ambient air from the Houston, Texas, area under the following conditions: (1) Release of Cl· precursor into captive ambient air, (2) release of Cl simultaneously with other ozone precursors (i.e., reactive hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides) into captive ambient air, and (3) release of Cl into captive aged air masses. The investigation yielded the following results: (1) Chlorine atoms can enhance ozone formation in Houston's ambient air, (2) Cl· provide the greatest enhancement to reactivity in the morning hours after sunrise, (3) the enhancement by Cl· in the morning hours is greater than comparable amounts of reactive hydrocarbons such as propene, and (4) Houston air masses can display much variability in reactivity. This paper describes some of the unique characteristics of the chambers employed during this study and results from captive air experiments performed using these environmental chambers during TEXAQS 2000.
The relationship of primate foveal cones to the pigment epithelium.

Processes of the retinal pigment epithelium that drape or ensheath the tips of cone outer segments in the rhesus monkey fovea were examined by electron microscopy. These processes emerge from the apical surface of the pigment epithelium (RPE) and form a multilaminar sheath enclosing the outer segment tips. Some of the processes extend down along the lateral border of cone outer segments for up to 30 μm. The relationship of the RPE apical processes to foveal cones is a modified version of their relationship to extrafoveal cones, in that the supracone space is reduced in size and the extent of apical RPE surface devoted to each cone is substantially less.
Breast-feeding promotion interventions: good public health and economic sense.

The health benefits of breast-feeding are well documented, as are the positive effects of breast-feeding promotion interventions. There is a clear dose–response relationship between breast-feeding and infant health in the first year of life, and beyond. Further, nearly all breast-feeding promotion interventions improve — at least minimally — breast-feeding initiation and duration rates. However, the extent to which the costs of such interventions might be offset by the potential health care cost savings during the infant's first year of life has not been examined. From a health policy perspective, such an economic analysis is indicated.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of linezolid vs. vancomycin in treating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus complicated skin and soft tissue infections using a decision analytic model

Summary Purpose: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of vancomycin vs. linezolid in complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTIs) with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) using a decision analytic (DA) model. Methods: A DA model was created to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of four treatment strategies in the treatment of MRSA cSSTIs: linezolid intravenous (i.v.) to oral (LIN), vancomycin i.v. inpatient treatment (VAN-1), vancomycin i.v. switch to oral linezolid (VAN-2) and vancomycin i.v. switch to outpatient vancomycin i.v. (VAN-3). Probabilities were determined from published clinical trials. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for the various strategies were the primary outcome. Univariate (one-way) sensitivity analysis and second-order Monte Carlo simulation (using 10,000 trials) were conducted for all parameters used in the model. Results: The DA model predicted that VAN-3 was the most cost-effective strategy from the base-case analysis. Average cost-effectiveness ratio for this strategy was $26,831.42/cure. Univariate sensitivity analysis revealed that the model was sensitive to linezolid duration of inpatient stay and duration of i.v. vancomycin before switching to an oral agent or discharged with outpatient i.v. administration with vancomycin. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that VAN-1 was dominated by LIN, but LIN was only 30% cost-effective compared with VAN-3. Acceptability curve showed that the probability of choosing LIN as a cost-effective strategy compared with VAN-1, VAN-2 and VAN-3 increased as the willingness-to-pay (WTP) increased. Conclusion: Alternative vancomycin strategies (VAN-2 and VAN-3) that take advantage of early discharge opportunities were cost-effective compared with LIN. However, LIN’s higher efficacy would make it cost-effective for payers with a high WTP threshold.
Robotic radical prostatectomy: outcomes of 500 cases.

OBJECTIVE To report the outcomes of 500 robotically assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomies (RALPs), a minimally invasive alternative for treating prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS In all, 500 patients had RALP over a 30-month period. A transperitoneal six-port approach was used in each case, with the da Vinci robotic surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA). Prospective data collection included quality-of-life questionnaires, basic demographics (height, weight and body mass index), prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels, clinical stage and Gleason grade. Variables assessed during RALP were operative duration, estimated blood loss (EBL) and complications, and after RALP were hospital stay, catheter time, pathology, PSA level, return of continence and potency. RESULTS The mean (range) duration of RALP was 130 (51–330) min; all procedures were successful, with no intraoperative transfusions or deaths. The mean EBL was 10–300 mL; 97% of patients were discharged home on the first day after RALP with a mean haematocrit of 36%. The mean duration of catheterization was 6.9 (5–21) days. The positive margin rate was 9.4% for all patients; i.e. 2.5% for T2 tumours, 23% for T3a and 53% for T4. The overall biochemical recurrence free (PSA level <0.1 ng/mL) survival was 95% at mean follow-up of 9.7 months. There was complete continence at 3 and 6 months in 89% and 95% of patients, respectively. At 1 year 78% of patients were potent (with or without the use of oral medications), 15% were not yet able to sustain erections capable of intercourse, and another 7% still required injection therapy. CONCLUSION RALP is a safe, feasible and minimally invasive alternative for treating prostate cancer. Our initial experience with the procedure shows promising short-term outcomes.
Medulloblastoma with brain stem involvement: the impact of gross total resection on outcome.

We studied the impact of gross total resection on progression-free survival (PFS) and postoperative morbidity in 40 children with locally advanced meduUoblastoma characterized by tumor invading the br
Screening for celiac disease in average-risk and high-risk populations

The prevalence of celiac disease is rising. As a result there is increasing interest in the associated mortality and morbidity of the disease. Screening of asymptomatic individuals in the general population is not currently recommended; instead, a strategy of case finding is the preferred approach, taking into account the myriad modes of presentation of celiac disease. Although a gluten-free diet is the treatment of choice in symptomatic patients with celiac disease, there is no consensus on whether institution of a gluten-free diet will improve the quality of life in asymptomatic screen-detected celiac disease patients. A review of the studies that have been performed on this subject is presented. Certain patient groups such as those with autoimmune diseases may be offered screening in the context of an informed discussion regarding the potential benefits, with the caveat that the data on this issue are sparse. Active case finding seems to be the most prudent option in most clinical situations.
Life modeling of thermal barrier coatings for aircraft gas turbine engines

Thermal barrier coating life models developed under the NASA Lewis Research Center's Hot Section Technology (HOST) Program are summarized. An initial laboratory model and three design-capable models are discussed. Current understanding of coating failure mechanisms are also summarized. The materials and structural aspects of thermal barrier coatings have been successfully integrated under the HOST program to produce models which may now or in the near future be used in design. Efforts on this program continue at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft where their model is being extended to the life prediction of physical vapor deposited thermal barrier coatings.
herpes simplex virus infection accelerates the age-related reactivity of mouse trigeminal ganglia neurons with anti-mouse IgG antibody in immunostaining.

The detection of viral proteins is a major goal of research on herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) latency. We used immunostaining to detect viral proteins in neuronal cells of trigeminal ganglia of Balb/c mice after corneal inoculation with HSV-1 virus. Viral proteins were detected in the neurons during the acute stage of infection, i.e. within one week after inoculation. However, the detection of viral antigens at the latent stage of HSV-1 infection has proven difficult. We have detected age-dependent non-specific reactivity with anti-mouse IgG antibody in the neurons of 10-week-old or older uninfected mice. This reactivity is accelerated in HSV-1 infected mice, being seen at 6 weeks of age (2 weeks post infection). The accelerated reaction and impact of this effect is discussed in relation to detection of viral proteins during latency.
Gas turbine blade materials' corrosion in the effluent from a pressurized fluidized bed combustor

Two nominally 200-hour tests were conducted in the General Electric Company's Pressurized Fluidized Bed (PFB) Coal Combustion facility in Malta, NY. The purpose of the tests was to evaluate the influence of bed operating temperature and dolomite composition on the degradation of gas turbine vane and blade base alloys and protective coating/cladding systems in the effluent from a PFB. Operating conditions were as follows: 1710/sup 0/-1770/sup 0/F (932/sup 0/C-966/sup 0/C) bed temperature and Pfizer dolomite (0.1 wt% sodium plus potassium), and 1630/sup 0/-1690/sup 0/F (888/sup 0/-921/sup 0/C) bed temperature and Tymochtee dolomite (0.9 wt% sodium plus potassium). Brookville seam coal with 4.5 wt% sulfur, 0.3 wt% alkali, and 0.17 wt% chlorine was used in both tests. Bare nickel and cobalt-base vane and blade alloys were susceptible to hot corrosion over the entire temperature range investigated, 1100/sup 0/1600/sup 0/F (593/sup 0/-871/sup 0/C). CoCrAlY and FeCrAlY overlay coatings showed good corrosion resistance at temperatures above 1450/sup 0/F, but were susceptible to pitting attack at lower temperatures. A platinum-aluminide diffusion coating showed excellent corrosion resistance at all temperatures.
Diet-induced effects on neuronal and glial elements in the middle-aged rat hippocampus.

Consumption of a high-fat and/or high-cholesterol diet can have detrimental effects on the brain. In the present study, dietary treatment with saturated fats, trans fats, or cholesterol to middle-aged Fischer 344 rats resulted in alterations to serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels, organ weights, and hippocampal morphology. Previously, we demonstrated that a 10% hydrogenated coconut oil and 2% cholesterol diet resulted in worse performance on the 12-day water radial arm maze, increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and decreased dendritic microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP2) staining in the hippocampus. The diets administered herein were used to examine components from the previous diet and further examine their effects on hippocampal morphology. Specifically, neuronal morphology, dendritic integrity, fatty acid metabolism, microgliosis, and blood vessel structure in the hippocampus and/or adjacent structures were explored. Our results indicate alterations to peripheral and neural systems f...
Buschke-ollendorff syndrome: report of a case and interpretation of the clinical phenotype as a type 2 segmental manifestation of an autosomal dominant skin disease ☆

Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome is a rare, autosomal dominant disease consisting of osteopoikilosis and skin manifestations. A case is reported, and the literature is reviewed with special reference to the clinical distribution patterns of skin lesions. The 2 main types of skin manifestations in this entity are widely disseminated, symmetrically distributed papules and localized, asymmetrically distributed plaques. Both types of lesions have been observed within the same family or within the same person. This particular phenotype can be explained by type 2 segmental manifestation of an autosomal dominant cutaneous trait: Symmetrically distributed papules are a manifestation of the heterozygous state acquired by inheritance, and asymmetrically distributed plaques develop in areas that have undergone a somatic mutational event of the wild-type allele at an early developmental stage, the result being loss of heterozygosity.
Teaching the Web of Life

This series of activities, which integrates science and social studies, is designed to involve students in experimental learning experiences conducted in an outdoor setting. Throughout the lesson, which is based on a model of instruction called Flow Learning™, students (a) simulate the Web of Life, (b) use different senses and scientific processes to experience and describe the living and nonliving environment, (c) develop conceptual understandings about interdependence and diversity of nature, and (d) determine what humans can do to protect the Web of Life.
Supercritical extraction of phenol from soil

Abstract The distribution coefficients for phenol between soil and both sub- and supercritical carbon dioxide were measured by static experiments in the temperature range 297–349 K and the pressure range 9–30 MPa. The effects of soil organic content, soil moisture, temperature, and pressure on the distribution co efficients were investigated. Simple thermodynamic models were developed for temperature and pressure dependency of the distribution coefficients which successfully represent the data. In addition, methanol was tested as an entrainer and experiments were conducted with benzene to investigate the effects of co-pollutants. The results show that the presence of chemicals in the system other than phenol affect the distribution coefficients.
Embodied Computation: An Active-Learning Approach to Mobile Robotics Education

This paper describes a newly designed upper-level undergraduate and graduate course, Autonomous Mobile Robots. The course employs active, cooperative, problem-based learning and is grounded in the fundamental computational problems in mobile robotics defined by Dudek and Jenkin. Students receive a broad survey of robotics through lectures, weekly assignments, and a final capstone project that includes a community outreach element and collaboration with artists. Students were assessed on several metrics from the ASEE literature; overall, they performed well in the course. The outreach event was also a success and was enjoyed by both the community attendees and student participants.
Effect of Otoconial Proteins Fetuin A, Osteopontin, and Otoconin 90 on the Nucleation and Growth of Calcite

We investigated the roles of three proteins associated with the formation of otoconia including fetuin A, osteopontin (OPN), and otoconin 90 (OC90). In situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies of the effects of these proteins on the growth of atomic steps on calcite surfaces were performed to obtain insight into their effects on the growth kinetics. We also used scanning electron microscopy to examine the effects of these proteins on crystal morphology. All three proteins were found to be potent inhibitors of calcite growth, although fetuin A promoted growth at concentrations below about 40 nM and only became an inhibitor at higher concentrations. We then used in situ optical microscopy to observe calcite nucleation on films of these proteins adsorbed onto mica surfaces. By measuring the calcite nucleation rate as a function of supersaturation, the value of the interfacial energy that controls the free energy barrier to heterogeneous nucleation was determined for each protein. OPN and OC90 films led to significantly reduced interfacial energies as compared to the value for homogeneous calcite nucleation in bulk solution. The value for fetuin A was equal to that for bulk solution within experimental error. Zeta potential measurements showed all of the proteins possessed negative surface charge and varied in magnitude according to sequence fetuin A > OC90 > OPN. In addition, the interfacial energies exhibited an inverse scaling with the zeta potential. In analogy to previous measurements on polysaccharide films, this scaling indicates the differences between the proteins arise from the effect of protein surface charge on the solution-substrate interfacial energy.
Document segmentation and coding techniques

A critical survey is given of literature on document scanning, text/diagram/half-tone-image segmentation, coding, compression, and raster/vector conversion. Short abstracts are given of each of the papers covered. Each item is referenced by keyword with complete cross-referencing.
Gas phase 1,3-deoxystannylation reactions of γ-substituted organotin alcohols utilizing chemical ionization mass spectrometry

The gas phase 1,3-deoxystannylation reactions of γ-substituted organotin alcohols have been studied by methane and isobutane chemical ionization mass spectrometry. It was found that γ-hydroxybutyltributyltin and γ-hydroxybutyldibutyltin chloride undergo the 1,3-deoxystannylation reaction to a greater extent than the corresponding 1,4-deoxystannylation using the δ-substituted analogues of the above named compounds. This result substantiates the unusual reactivity of γ-substituted organotin alcohols under gas phase protonolysis conditions. The electronic factors affecting the stabilization of the transition state were ascertained with γ-phenyl-γ-hydroxypropyltrimethyltin derivatives, in which the γ-phenyl group was substituted with groups such as H, p-OMe, p-Me, p-Cl, p-F, m-OMe, m-Me, m-Cl and m-CF3. We observed a reasonably linear Hammett relationship when plotting the log [P − 17]x+/[P − 17]H+ vs. σ+ with rho (ρ) equal to −1.0. Thus electron-donating groups stabilize the [P − 17]+ ion and carbon—tin sigma (σ) electrons can either, by a neighbouring group effect, attack the nucleofugic center, or the carbonium ion can attack the carbon—tin σ electrons to form the trimethyltin cation and a cyclopropane derivative. Consequently, we propose that a two-step mechanism for the 1,3-deoxystannylation reaction is operating in the gas-phase with this type of compound. The factors contributing to this gas phase reaction will be discussed.
How anomalous are the anomalous properties of fluorine? Ionization energy and electron affinity revisited

Abstract It is well established that atomic fluorine has a miserly high ionization energy and avariciously high electron affinity. Yet, as was shown some 30 years ago, the latter value is anomalously low-linear extrapolation shows the value to be some 110 kJ/mol less than expected by comparison to the heavier halogens. Related literature investigation extended this anomaly to nitrogen and oxygen and their (valence) isoelectronic congeners. We extend it to related cationic species and thereby the noble gases and alkali metals, and the aforementioned species are better understood. We thus ask if the ionization energy/electron affinity anomaly of fluorine remains an anomaly.
Carbon monoxide--evaluation of exposure potential by personnel monitor surveys.

Fixed-station monitors located in a large consolidated warehouse in which gasoline-powered lift trucks are operated disclosed peak concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) in the range of or above the 1970 threshold limit value (TLV) of 50 ppm. To determine whether employees assigned to this area are exposed to excessive CO concentrations, personnel monitoring surveys were proposed. Attempts to adapt the liquid reagents reported in the literature to the system developed for tetraalkyl lead exposure control met with failure. A manufacturer of length-of-stain detector tubes indicated that the CO tube would provide 4-hour continuous sampling. Recalibration at a rate of 8 ml/min confirmed this report for a range of 30 to 60 ppm. Flow rate and oxygen concentration are the controlling variables. Surveys carried out in either warm- or cold-weather conditions disclosed no exposure conditions which approached the limit of 50 ppm on an 8-hour average basis.
“Folk” or “Traditional” Versus “Complementary” and “Alternative” Medicine: Constructing Latino/a Health and Illness Through Biomedical Labeling

This article explores the social interpretation of labeling Latino health beliefs associated with botanicas and unlicensed clinics as “folk” and “traditional” as opposed to “complementary” and “alternative.” Using a critical medical anthropological approach to trace the development of these labels, this article analyzes the hegemonic impact of biomedicine on Latino epistemologies, and traces the difficult application of static interpretations of Latino cultural practices in public health. One qualitative account of a modern experience of susto is provided to indicate the complexity of “folk” illness experience. Ultimately, this article asks, “What does it mean to define Latino/a beliefs and practices as “folk,” “traditional,” “complementary,” or “alternative”?
Changes in the Rate of Carrier-Mediated Glucose Transport by Mouse Mammary Epithelial Cells during Ontogeny: Hormone Dependence Delineated in Vitro

Epithelial cells were isolated from mammary glands of mice in various physiological states, and the rate of carrier-mediated glucose transport was determined with 3-O-methylglucose. The basal rate (in the absence of exogenous insulin) increases about 40-fold as the animal of origin progresses from the virgin to the midlactating state and declines precipitously during involution. Insulin does not acutely stimulate carrier-mediated transport by cells isolated from virgin or lactating mice and evokes only about a 50% enhancement of this transport rate in the cells derived from pregnant and early postlactational animals. However, culture of mammary explants from pregnant mice in the presence of insulin, cortisol, and PRL before isolation of the epithelial cells results in a 400% increase in the basal rate of carrier-mediated glucose transport in the absence of exogenous hormones; this effect requires 3 days of incubation. The enhanced rate is equivalent to that in cells freshly isolated from animals in early lactation. Insulin-like growth factor I can mimic the chronic effect of insulin, but multiplication-stimulating activity, epidermal growth factor, and 20% fetal calf serum do not supplant insulin in this system. The maximum velocity, but not the Km, of 3-O-methylglucose transport is markedly increased during ontogeny; this is compatible with an increase in the number of functional transporters during development. The results suggest that insulin and/or insulin like growth factor I are implicated in development of the high basal rate of carrier-mediated glucose transport in mammary cells from lactating mice.
What Factors Need to be Considered to Understand Emotional Memories

In my original review (Kensinger, 2009), I proposed that to understand the effects of emotion on memory accuracy, we must look beyond effects of arousal and consider the contribution of valence. In discussing this proposal, the commentators raise a number of excellent points that hone in on the question of when valence does (and does not) account for emotion's effects on memory accuracy. Though future research will be required to resolve this issue more fully, in this brief response, I address some of the concerns outlined by the commentators and suggest a few steps that may help to elucidate the dimensions that should be incorporated in models of emotional memory.
Acute arterial thromboses involving major vessels.

Abstract The case of a 57-year-old woman with acute multiple arterial thromboses involving the entire arterial tree is presented. The etiological factors were obscure.
Acoustic rhinometry findings in patients with mild sleep apnea.

Background: Nasal obstruction may contribute to the development of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Acoustic rhinometry (AR) measures nasal patency and congestion, which are useful parameters in objectively evaluating nasal obstruction. The nasal obstruction produced by allergic rhinitis may contribute to the development of OSA and can be easily assessed with AR. Objective: This study was undertaken to assess the degree of nasal obstruction seen in allergic patients with and without OSA. Study Design and Setting: This study was a retrospective data analysis from a tertiary referral center. The AR data from 10 patients with and 40 patients without mild OSA were compared. Results: The mean congestion factors at the first cross-sectional area (CSA1) on the AR graph were found to be significantly higher in the OSA group than in the non-OSA group (P = 0.03). The classification of change in congestion factors demonstrated significant differences at CSA1, CSA2, and CSA3 and in volume (t distributions <0.001, 0.0312, <0.001, and <0.001, respectively). The non-OSA patients noted a significant subjective improvement in nasal congestion after topical nasal decongestion, whereas the OSA patients did not (P ≤ 0.0001 and 0.064, respectively). Conclusion: Although the role of nasal obstruction in OSA is controversial, our study lends evidence to the thought that the nasal obstruction associated with allergic rhinitis is associated with the presence of mild OSA. Significance: Whether allergic rhinitis is a direct cause of OSA is debatable, but we have shown that greater nasal congestion is related to the presence of OSA in a population of patients with allergic rhinitis. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2002;126:475-80.)
Increased Adrenocortical Activity in the Neonatal Rat Following Handling

A standard handling procedure, employed with 2-day-old rats, caused a significant rise in plasma corticosterone hr after the pups were returned to the maternity cage and the mother. This procedure consists of removing the pups from the maternity cage, placing them individually into 1-gallon cans partially filled with shavings, leaving them undisturbed in the cans for 3 min and then returning the pups to the maternity cage. Two other procedures, variants on the handling technique, also evoked a significant adrenocortical response: The first was to leave the pups alone in handling cans for 33 min; the second was to place the pups into an empty maternity case for hr after the usual 3 min in handling cans. The final experiment showed that the corticosterone response could be prevented if the pups were placed in handling cans maintained at 35.5 C. (Endocrinology 81: 1047, 1967)
An optical study of phase transitions of poly (ethylene terephthalate‐co‐p‐hydroxybenzoic acid) liquid crystal

The copolyester containing 40 mol % ethylene terephthalate (PET) and 60 mol % p-hydroxybenzoate (HB) units has been reported by several investigators to be biphasic in the solid and the liquid states. The reported thermal transitions in the two phases, however, are in part contradictory, perhaps partly due to different polymerization conditions. The present work is a study of the transitions in each of the two phases of this copolyester by polarized light microscopy and by light transmission measurements. By light transmission measurements, the two phases were found to have two different glass transition temperatures for the onset of segmental motion, consistent with two assignable temperatures (T.). Cold crystallization and melting in each of the two different phases was also detected. The results help clarify the nature of transitions and agree with the results of dynamic mechanical analysis on the same thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester.
Nucleoids, a subnuclear system capable of chain elongation.

Abstract Nucleoids, prepared by salt extraction of non-DNase-digested nuclei, have properties similar, but not identical to those of nuclear matrices which are prepared by salt extraction of DNase-digested nuclei. Nuclear matrices, retained less pulse-labelled DNA, slightly less bound DNA polyesterase α and DNA primase, but had greater in vitro DNA synthesis and in vitro priming. Nucleoids contains larger (110 S) DNA chains than nuclear matrices (30 S). Each type of residual nuclear structure could synthesize 4.5 S Okazaki fragments. When extracted with increasing concentrations of salt, DNase-digested nucleo lost the ability for further elonation of the 4.5 S DNA intermediate after 0.1–0.2 M NaCl, whereas undigested nucleo retained this ability up to 0.9 M NaCl. Chain elongation to 28 S DNA chains could be restored to nucleoids, but not to nuclear matrices, by the addition of nuclear extracts.
Vispedia: on-demand data integration for interactive visualization and exploration

Wikipedia is an example of the large, collaborative, semi-structured data sets emerging on the Web. Typically, before these data sets can be used, they must transformed into structured tables via data integration. We present Vispedia, a Web-based visualization system which incorporates data integration into an iterative, interactive data exploration and analysis process. This reduces the upfront cost of using heterogeneous data sets like Wikipedia. Vispedia is driven by a keyword-query-based integration interface implemented using a fast graph search. The search occurs interactively over DBpedia's semantic graph of Wikipedia, without depending on the existence of a structured ontology. This combination of data integration and visualization enables a broad class of non-expert users to more effectively use the semi-structured data available on the Web.
Mutagenicity of mono- and dinitropyrenes in the Salmonella typhimurium TM677 forward mutation assay

Nitropyrenes are a group of widespread environmental pollutants, some of which are highly potent as bacterial and mammalian cell mutagens and as animal carcinogens. A quantitative bacterial forward mutation assay, based on resistance to 8-azaguanine (8-AG) in Salmonella typhimurium TM677, was employed as an alternative to reversion assays to reexamine the mutagenicity of 1-, 2-, and 4-nitropyrene (1-, 2-, and 4-NP) and 1,3-, 1,6-, and 1,8-dinitropyrene (1,3-, 1,6-, and 1,8-DNP) in the presence and absence of rat liver postmitochondrial supernatant (PMS). The major finding is that 2-NP, reported as a potent mutagen in the absence of PMS in bacterial reversion assays, was inactive in the absence of PMS in this assay. However, 2-NP was mutagenic in the presence of PMS. The implications of this observation with respect to sample purity and the metabolism of 2-NP are discussed. Without PMS the following minimum detectable mutagen concentration (MDMC) potency series expressed as nmol/ml was obtained: 1,8-DNP (0.5 x 10(-3)), 1,6-DNP (1.2 x 10(-3)), 1,3-DNP (2.3 x 10(-3)), 4-NP (0.2), 1-NP (0.2), 2-NP (> 1200), pyrene (> 1500). With PMS the potency series was: 1,6-DNP (0.7), 1,8-DNP (2.1), 4-NP (2.2), 2-NP (2.6), 1,3-DNP (3.7), 1-NP (4.6), pyrene (> 1500). With the exception of 2-NP, all the nitropyrenes were more mutagenic without PMS than with PMS. The greatest difference was observed with the dinitropyrenes, which were three orders of magnitude less potent in the presence of PMS. Pyrene, often reported as a bacterial mutagen in the presence of PMS, was nonmutagenic in this assay when a purified sample was tested.