cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Clinical Utility of Over-the-Scope Clip for the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Defects

The over-the-scope clip (OTSC) is a novel endoscopic tool that enables non-surgical management of gastrointestinal (GI) defects. The aim of this study was to report our experience with OTSC for patients with GI defects. A prospectively maintained IRB-approved institutional database was queried for all patients treated with OTSC from 2012 to 2015. Primary outcome was the clinical success of the OTSC for the individual indication. Secondary outcome was the number of additional procedures needed following OTSC. Fifty-one patients were treated with OTSC: upper GI (UGI) 30 and lower GI (LGI) 21. GI leak (n = 24; UGI = 12, LGI = 12) and fistulae (n = 17; UGI = 8, LGI = 9) were the most common indications. Overall success rate for the treatment of leaks was 59 % [UGI 66 % vs. LGI 33 % (p = 0.1)]. A lower success rate (35 %) was noted for fistulae [UGI 62 % vs. LGI 0 % (p = 0.001)]. Success rates for UGI perforation, bleeding, and stent anchoring indications were 75, 75, and 50 %, respectively. Additional endoscopic or surgical interventions following OTSC were indicated in 68.6 % of the patients. OTSC appears to have additional value in treating UGI defects. However, lower success rates for LGI defects were noted, specifically for fistulae. Most patients require an additional endoscopic or surgical procedure after one OTSC application.
Performance of a Shape Deposition Manufacturing Cell

As Rapid prototyping processes start delivering production quality parts, the demand for low volume manufacturing is increasing. This paper explores the performance of an SDM cell for volume production of one-of-a-kind parts. The SDM process is modeled from an operations perspective and a queuing network that implements the process simulated. On this simulated cell, a number of scheduling policies are evaluated and their results analyzed for cycle time performance and variability.
Cold dark matter under attack

Michael Turner's article on cold dark matter (CDM) theories (September pp3l–39) prompts the following comments. If seven or more cosmological parameters, such as values for the Hubble constant, the baryonic matter density, the power-law index and so on, "must be specified to make precise predictions", then can CDM theories generate unique predictions that subject the theories to scientific falsification? If they cannot, what is the scientific status of such theories?
A Residence Time Theory for Biodiversity

From microorganisms to the largest macroorganisms, much of Earth's biodiversity is subject to forces of physical turnover. Residence time is the ratio of an ecosystem's size to its rate of flow and provides a means for understanding the influence of physical turnover on biological systems. Despite its use across scientific disciplines, residence time has not been integrated into the broader understanding of biodiversity, life history, and the assembly of ecological communities. Here we propose a residence time theory for the growth, activity, abundance, and diversity of traits and taxa in complex ecological systems. Using thousands of stochastic individual-based models to simulate energetically constrained life-history processes, we show that our predictions are conceptually sound and mutually compatible and that they support ecological relationships that underpin much of biodiversity theory. We discuss the importance of residence time across the ecological hierarchy and propose how residence time can be integrated into theories ranging from population genetics to macroecology.
Does vigilance in decision-making matter for dementia family caregivers?

ABSTRACTObjectives: Family responsibilities and social expectations often prompt conflict in caregivers’ decision-making processes. Janis and Mann's (1977) conflict model describes vigilance as high-quality decision-making resulting in optimal outcomes. The purpose of our research was threefold: (1) to describe decision styles in a population of family caregivers of persons with dementia; (2) to examine the socio-economic characteristics associated with caregivers who are more likely to be vigilant decision-makers; and (3) to assess differences in caregiving experiences between vigilant and non-vigilant caregivers.Method: Our analysis was based on 639 survey respondents recruited from a university-affiliated memory disorders clinic.Results: Our typical caregiver was Caucasian non-Hispanic, was currently married, and had two children. Approximately half of our sample used a ‘pure vigilant’ decision style. Vigilance was associated with more positive and fewer negative caregiving outcomes.Conclusion: Support...
Brokerage Triad Configurations Across Countries:Effects on Innovation Impact and Radicalness

Occupying a network position that spans structural holes across countries in a network of knowledge-based alliances allows firms to access novel resources. However, transferring and integrating kno...
Elastic and Acoustoelastic Properties of Railroad Rail

The measurement of thermally induced longitudinal forces in railroad rail is an important element in the control of train damage due to rail buckling or other modes of track failure. Acoustoelastic techniques, whereby stresses are inferred from small shifts in the ultrasonic velocity, are attractive because they can sample the stresses on the interior of the rail and because relatively simple instrumentation can be utilized [1]. The effectiveness of acoustoelastic techniques, however, is limited by the degree to which other sources of velocity shifts are present, generally associated with rail-to-rail variations in microstructure. Figure 1 illustrates the problem. Stress is inferred from the shift in velocity from its stress free value, based on a proportionality constant known as the acoustoelastic constant. Errors in the values of either the stress free velocity or the acoustoelastic constant can lead to errors in the predicted stress.
John Fishwick, BVA President, responds

Thank you for the opportunity to respond. We know that not every BVA member agrees with all of our policy positions, and we respect that Dr Waters holds a different view to …
Prostate cancer high dose-rate brachytherapy: review of evidence and current perspectives.

Introduction: Patients with intermediate to high risk disease (prostate specific antigen (PSA) ≥ 10, Gleason score ≥ 7, or clinical stage ≥ T2b) suffer from poorer long-term biochemical control (fr...
Abstract IS-1: Health System Responses to Women's Cancers in the Americas: Closing Divides to Achieve Universal Health Coverage

To address the challenges of the increasing cancer burden, low- and middle-income country health systems must function in an integrated manner across the care continuum from prevention to palliative care. Health systems must address disease-specific priorities and systemic challenges synergistically, as envisioned in a diagonal approach to health systems strengthening, which overcomes the barriers between vertical (disease-specific) and horizontal (systemic) approaches by making full use of potential synergies between different programs and allows the development of common delivery platforms that consider shared risk factors across diseases to optimize available resources. The challenges of meeting the double burden of cancer are epitomized by women9s cancers in Latin America: the persistence of preventable cancers like cervical cancer that are especially prevalent among the poor; and the emerging challenge of cancers like breast cancer, that cannot be prevented, but whose impact could be dramatically reduced through early detection and treatment and that affect women of all socio-economic strata. Further, women face specific challenges associated with stigma and discrimination that exacerbate their risks of dying and suffering from cancer, especially those affecting reproductive health. As many Latin American countries continue making strides to ensure health care access for all through universal health coverage, they must aim to effectively meet the challenge of these chronic illnesses across the entire care continuum. We outline strategies to strengthen health systems through a diagonal approach using the example of how the Mexican health system has responded to the challenge of breast cancer to illustrate effective universal health coverage along the chronic disease continuum and across health systems functions. We also present innovative financing and delivery models, as well as educational interventions that build on overall efforts to strengthen primary care by linking to existing platforms related to reproductive and maternal and child health. Citation Format: Knaul FM. Health System Responses to Women9s Cancers in the Americas: Closing Divides to Achieve Universal Health Coverage [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr IS-1.
Alternative Lernarrangements in der Erstausbildung

Im technischen und kaufmannischen Bereich eines Unternehmens unterliegen die Arbeitsplatze durch die Optimierung von Aufbau- und Ablauforganisation und dem zunehmenden Einsatz neuer Informations- und Kommunikationstechniken permanenten Veranderungsprozessen. Die Gedanken von CIM (computer integrated manufactoring) und von LEAN PRODUCTION (schlanke, klare Produktion) seien hier als Beispiele genannt.
Molecular Signaling Pathways Involved in Appressorium Development by Magnaporthe Grisea

The infection process of phytopathogenetic fungi involves a series of continuous interactions between the pathogenic agents and their hosts. Plants are equipped with a variety of physical and chemical strategies to restrain fungal invasion, including a waxy cuticle layer, preformed antimicrobial compounds, induction of the hypersensitive reaction, pathogenesis-related proteins (PR proteins) and phytoalexin biosynthesis, as well as the establishment of systemic acquired resistance (SAR). To establish a successful infection, pathogenic fungi must first be able to penetrate the epidermis, which is coated with a waxy cuticle and thick cell wall. Some biotrophic fungi such as rusts and powdery mildews bypass the plant physical barrier by entering through stomata. However, many fungal pathogens produce appressoria as the primary weapon of direct penetration. Prior to the development of the appressorium, a variety of biological events occur, including secretion of certain adhesive compounds, hydrophobins or other proteins which assist in attaching the germ tubes to the host plant surface (Hamer et al., 1988; Talbot et al., 1993; Beckerman and Ebbole, 1996; Nicholson, 1996). Hydrolytic enzymes may be also secreted to soften and change the surface of the cuticle layer facilitating attachment and penetration (Deising et al., 1992; Pascholati et al., 1993). An infection peg emerges beneath the appressorium and, often driven by hydrostatic pressure, penetrates the epidermal cell. After entering, the infection hyphae continues to develop and ramifies through the plant tissue.
Orientation of larval and juvenile horseshoe crabs Limulus polyphemus to visual cues: Effects of chemical odors

Adult horseshoe crabs Limulus polyphemus have long served as models for the study of vision in marine arthropods. Yet, little is known about the ability of early life history stages to detect and respond to visual cues. We examined the visually directed movements of larvae and first stage juveniles to horizons containing dark visual targets of different sizes. The study tested the hypotheses that (1) larval and juvenile crabs can detect and respond to visual targets and (2) the direction of orientation varies with the presence of chemical cues associated with settlement habitats. Orientation of larval and juvenile crabs to rectangles subtending angles from 30−330 o was tested in a circular arena containing water that either lacked estuarine chemical cues (offshore water) or contained odors from aquatic vegetation or known predators. In the absence of chemical odors, larvae oriented toward and juveniles moved away from dark horizons subtending angles > 60°. When placed in water containing chemical odors from potential nursery habitats, including the seagrasses Halodule wrightii and Syringodium filiforme, crabs reversed their direction of orientation relative to their responses in offshore water. Odors from two known predators, the mummichug Fundulus grandis and blue crab Callinectes sapidus, had no affect on the orientation of larvae. Yet, juveniles responded to both odors by moving toward the visual target. Results support the hypothesis that the visual orientation of larval and juvenile horseshoe crabs changes upon exposure to habitat and predator cues and that the direction of the response undergoes an ontogenetic shift following metamorphosis (Current Zoology 56 (5): 618-633, 2010).
Beyond Gonioscopy: Digital Imaging of the Anterior Segment

Evaluation of the angle is an essential part of the exam of the glaucoma patient. Gonioscopy is a somewhat subjective evaluation of the anterior chamber angle of the eye using a lens. Gonioscopy is essential to determine what subtype of glaucoma an individual may have. However, at times, it may be difficult to obtain consistent gonioscopic results because of factors related to the patient’s eye and/or cooperation. Gonioscopy is never as objective as we would like for it to be.
Learning and Memory in Invertebrates: Mollusks

Mollusks exhibit several forms of memory that are commonly observed in higher invertebrates and vertebrate species. These animals provide powerful experimental systems for examining the cellular and molecular mechanisms of memory, because observations at the behavioral level can often be linked directly to cellular and molecular changes in the central nervous system (CNS). Here, we focus on three molluskan species that have made significant contributions to our understanding of mechanisms of learning and memory: Aplysia, Hermissenda, and Lymnaea. While each species exhibits diverse forms of memory in different response systems, striking similarities emerge in the molecular mechanisms that are engaged in memory formation. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved.
The march of Cain: Humans as a destroyer of species

About two and a half million years ago, the Earth entered the first of a series of ice ages. That point marks the beginning of the span of time that geologists call the Quaternary. In East Africa, soon after the Quaternary began, there are the very first signs of our own human genus Homo— in the form of a layer of stone tools, the oldest ever found. It seems true to say that we humans are “children of the ice ages”, for the timing of our origin, evolution, and spread around the world have all taken place against the shifting environments of the Quaternary.
Changing Patterns of Contraceptive Use and the Decline in Rates of Pregnancy and Birth Among U.S. Adolescents, 2007-2014.

Abstract Purpose To investigate the influence of sexual activity and contraceptive use on the decline in adolescent birth rates and pregnancy rates since 2007. Methods We estimated trends in pregnancy risk from 2007 to 2014 using national data on behaviors of women aged 15–19. Results In 2007–2014, increases occurred in use of one or more contraceptive methods at last sex (78%–88%), dual method use (24%–33%), long-acting reversible contraception including intrauterine device and implant (1%–7%), withdrawal (15%–26%), and withdrawal in combination with other methods (7%–17%). Pill use rose and then fell over time. Level of sexual activity did not change over time. The decline in pregnancy risk among women aged 15–19 was entirely attributable to improvements in contraceptive use. Conclusions Improvements in contraceptive use—including increases in use of long-acting reversible contraception and withdrawal in combination with another method—appear to be driving recent declines in adolescent birth and pregnancy rates.
Socioeconomic Predictors of Pituitary Surgery.

Background: There exists a lack of data on the effect of socioeconomic status (SES) on outcomes for pituitary tumors, which have been associated with significant morbidity. The goal of this population-level study is to investigate the role of SES on receiving treatment and survival in patients with pituitary tumors. Methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program database from the National Cancer Institute was used to identify patients diagnosed with pituitary tumors between 2003 and 2012. SES was determined using a validated composite index. Race was categorized as Caucasian and non-Caucasian. Treatment received included surgery, radiation, and radiation with surgery. Odds of receiving surgery and survival probability were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards model, respectively. Results: A total of 25,802 patients with pituitary tumors were identified for analysis. High SES tertile (odds ratio (OR) = 1.095; 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.059, 1.132]) and quintile (OR = 1.052; 95% CI [1.031, 1.072]) were associated with higher odds of receiving surgery (p<0.0001). Caucasian patients had higher odds of receiving surgery when compared to non-Caucasian patients (OR = 1.064; 95% CI [1.000, 1.133]; p<0.05). Neither SES nor race were significant predictors of survival probability. Conclusion: Socioeconomic status and race were found to be associated with higher odds of receiving surgery for pituitary tumors, and thus serve as independent predictors of surgical management. Further studies are required to investigate possible causes for these findings.
A Qualitative Case Study of the Influences of the 2016 U.S. Election and Subsequent Presidency on Elementary Classrooms and Children

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine to what extent and in what ways teachers and families from an elementary school perceived the 2016 U.S. presidential election and subsequen...
9 – Axial-Flow Turbines

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on axial-flow turbines that are the most widely employed turbines using a compressible fluid. Axial-flow turbines power most of the gas turbine units and they are more efficient than radial-inflow turbines in most operational ranges. They are also used in steam turbine design; however, there are some significant differences between the axial-flow turbine design for a gas turbine and the design for a steam turbine. Axial-flow turbines are now designed with a high work factor to obtain lower fuel consumption and reduce the noise from the turbine. Lower fuel consumption and lower noise requires the design of higher by-pass ratio engines, and a high by-pass ratio engine in turn requires various turbine stages to drive the high-flow, low-speed fan. The flow in axial-flow turbines enters and leaves in the axial direction. There are two types of axial turbines: impulse type and reaction type. Most axial flow turbines consist of more than one stage. The front stages are usually impulse (zero reaction) and the later stages have about 50% reaction. The impulse stages produce about twice the output of a comparable 50% reaction stage, while the efficiency of an impulse stage is less than that of a 50% reaction stage. The high temperatures that are available in the turbine section have resulted from the improvements of the metallurgy of the blades in the turbines. Development of directionally solidified blades as well as the new single-crystal blades, with the new coating cooling schemes, is responsible for the increase in firing temperatures. The high pressure ratio in the compressor also causes the cooling air used in the first stages of the turbine to become hot.
Augmented Reality Technology as a Teaching Strategy for Learning Pediatric Asthma Management: Mixed Methods Study

Background: Asthma is a major chronic disease affecting 8.6% of children in the United States. Objective: The purpose of this research was to assess the use of clinical simulation scenarios using augmented reality technology to evaluate learning outcomes for nurse practitioner students studying pediatric asthma management. Methods: A mixed-methods pilot study was conducted with 2 cohorts of graduate pediatric nurse practitioner students (N=21), with each cohort participating for 2 semesters. Results: Significant improvements in pediatric asthma test scores (P<.001) of student learning were found in both cohorts at posttest in both semesters. Student satisfaction with the augmented reality technology was found to be high. The focus group discussions revealed that the simulation was realistic and helpful for a flipped classroom approach. Conclusions: The study results suggest augmented reality simulation to be valuable in teaching pediatric asthma management content in graduate nursing education.
County-level data on U.S. opioid distributions, demographics, healthcare supply, and healthcare access

Abstract The dataset summarized in this article is a combination of several of U.S. federal data resources for the years 2006-2013, containing county-level variables for opioid pill volumes, demographics (e.g. age, race, ethnicity, income), insurance coverage, healthcare demand (e.g. inpatient and outpatient service utilization), healthcare infrastructure (e.g. number of hospital beds or hospices), and the supply of various types of healthcare providers (e.g. medical doctors, specialists, dentists, or nurse practitioners). We also include indicators for states which permitted opioid prescribing by nurse practitioners. This dataset was originally created to assist researchers in identifying which factors predict per capita opioid pill volume (PCPV) in a county, whether early state Medicaid expansions increased PCPV, and PCPV's association with opioid-related mortality. Missing data were imputed using regression analysis and hot deck imputation. Non-imputed values are also reported. Taken together, our data provide a new level of precision that may be leveraged by scholars, policymakers, or data journalists who are interested in studying the opioid epidemic. Researchers may use this dataset to identify patterns in opioid distribution over time and characteristics of counties or states which were disproportionately impacted by the epidemic. These data may also be joined with other sources to facilitate studies on the relationships between opioid pill volume and a wide variety of health, economic, and social outcomes.
Global analysis of the specificities and targets of endoribonucleases from E. coli toxin-antitoxin systems

Toxin-antitoxin systems are widely distributed genetic modules typically featuring toxins that can inhibit bacterial growth and antitoxins that can reverse inhibition. Although Escherichia coli encodes 11 toxins with known or putative endoribonuclease activity, the target of most of these toxins remain poorly characterized. Using a new RNA-seq pipeline that enables the mapping and quantification of RNA cleavage with single-nucleotide resolution, we characterize the targets and specificities of 9 endoribonuclease toxins from E. coli. We find that these toxins use low-information cleavage motifs to cut a significant proportion of mRNAs in E. coli, but not tRNAs or the rRNAs from mature ribosomes. However, all the toxins, including those that are ribosome-dependent and cleave only translated RNA, inhibit ribosome biogenesis. This inhibition likely results from the cleavage of ribosomal protein transcripts, which disrupts the stoichiometry and biogenesis of new ribosomes and causes the accumulation of aberrant ribosome precursors. Collectively, our results provide a comprehensive, global analysis of endoribonuclease-based toxin-antitoxin systems in E. coli and support the conclusion that, despite their diversity, each disrupts translation and ribosome biogenesis. ImportanceToxin-antitoxin systems are widespread genetic modules found in almost all bacteria that can regulate their growth and may play prominent roles in phage defense. Escherichia coli encodes 11 TA systems in which the toxin is a known or predicted endoribonuclease. The targets and cleavage specificities of these endoribonucleases have remained largely uncharacerized, precluding an understanding of how each impacts cell growth and an assessment of whether they have distinct or overlapping targets. Using a new and broadly applicable RNA-seq pipeline, we present a global analysis of 9 endoribonulease toxins from E. coli. We find that each uses a relatively low-information cleavage motif to cut a large proportion of mRNAs in E. coli, but not tRNAs or mature rRNAs. Notably, although the precise set of targets varies, each toxin efficiently disrupts ribosome biogenesis, primarily by cleaving the mRNAs of ribosomal proteins. In sum, the analyses presented provide new, comprehensive insights into the cleavage specificities and targets of almost all endoribonuclease toxins in E. coli. Despite different specificities, our work reveals a striking commonality in function as each toxin disrupts ribosome biogenesis and translation.
Feasible and effective use of a simulation-based curriculum for post-graduate emergency medicine trainees in India to improve learner self-efficacy, knowledge, and skills

Pediatric emergency medicine training is in its infancy in India. Simulation provides an educational avenue to equip trainees with the skills to improve pediatric care. We hypothesized that a simulation-based curriculum can improve Indian post-graduate emergency medicine (EM) trainees’ self-efficacy, knowledge, and skills in pediatric care. We designed a simulation-based curriculum for management of common pediatric emergencies including sepsis, trauma, and respiratory illness and pediatric-specific procedures including vascular access and airway skills. Training included didactics, procedural skill stations, and simulation. Measures included a self-efficacy survey, knowledge test, skills checklist, and follow-up survey. Results were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and paired-samples t test. A 6-month follow-up survey was done to evaluate lasting effects of the intervention. Seventy residents from four academic hospitals in India participated. Trainees reported feeling significantly more confident, after training, in performing procedures, and managing pediatric emergencies (p < 0.001). After the simulation-based curriculum, trainees demonstrated an increase in medical knowledge of 19% (p < 0.01) and improvement in procedural skills from baseline to mastery of 18%, 20%, 16%, and 19% for intubation, bag-valve mask ventilation, intravenous access, and intraosseous access respectively (p < 0.01). At 6-month follow-up, self-efficacy in procedural skills and management of pediatric emergencies improved from baseline. A simulation-based curriculum is an effective and sustainable way to improve Indian post-graduate EM trainees’ self-efficacy, knowledge, and skills in pediatric emergency care.
Melting in Restricted Geometries

We discuss the melting and structure of clusters and thin films using Monte Carlo simulation and analytic density functional methods. The density is increased at the bounadry but the local structure factor is not. The structure can be semi-quantitatively described by a linear theory. We found that the freezing temperature is increased for thin films whereas for clusters it is decreased. For spherical boundaries, at melting the Debye-Waller factor as a function of the radial distance consists of a flat bulk-hke part close to the center and a decaying interface part at the surface. For small particles, the surface part dominates. This represents a type of generallzed Lindemann criterion for small clusters.
Observation of interference between Iu=12 and Iu=32 baryon exchange amplitudes in 4 GeV/c backward inelastic scattering

Abstract Interference between the I u = 1 2 and I u = 3 2 baryon exchange amplitudes is observed in the reaction π − p → p π − π 0 , with the proton produced forward with cos θ p ∗ >0.8 . The Dalitz plot shows that the reaction is dominated by the quasi two body final states ρ − p( δ exchange) and N ∗0 (1670)π 0 ( N exchange ) , with δ(1238), N ∗ (1520) and higher mass N ∗ 's also produced. The relative phase between the ρ and the N ∗ (1670) production amplitudes is measured to be 135° ± 10° and is compared with the Regge pole signature factor phase predictions.
Acousto‐Optical Signal Processing

The sections in this article are 1 The Acousto-Optical Device Model 2 Acousto-Optical System Components and Issues 3 Optical Processing Techniques 4 Radio-Frequency Spectrum Analysis Using Acousto-Optical Devices 5 Acousto-Optical Correlators 6 Acknowledgment
The Mass Media and the Dynamics of American Racial Attitudes

Paul M. Kellstedt explains the variation in Americans' racial attitudes over the last half-century, particularly the relationship between media coverage of race and American public opinion on race. The analyses reveal that racial policy preferences have evolved in an interesting and unpredicted (if not unpredictable) fashion over the past fifty years. There have been sustained periods of liberalism, where the public prefers an active government to bring about racial equality, and these periods are invariably followed by eras of conservatism, where the public wants the government to stay out of racial politics altogether. These opinions respond to cues presented in the national media. Kellstedt then examines the relationship between attitudes on the two major issues of the twentieth century: race and the welfare state.
MALIGNANT OSTEOPETROSIS(OP): OBSERVATIONS ON THE DISEASE SPECTRUM

7 patients (pts) with OP (4 infants ages 0.3-0.6 yrs and 3 children ages 2.0-3.8 yrs) were studied biochemically and by bone biopsy to correlate laboratory parameters with disease outcome. All pts presented in the first 6 mo of life with optic atrophy, cranial n. dysfunction, respiratory abnormalities, and pallor. Distinguishing features are summarized below: Two infants (with advanced fibrosis) received massive doses (24 ug/d) of 1,25-(OH)2D3 for 3 weeks without bone biopsy improvement despite hydroxyprolinuria. Three infants and 1 child underwent bone marrow transplantation. Bony remodeling occurred in 1 infant and 1 child. Of the 2 infants with advanced fibrosis, 1 was evaluable and had engraftment in the nonfibrotic, membranous bone but not in the fibrotic endochondral bone. We conclude that the above parameters may correlate with bone biopsies and that advanced fibrosis may be predictive of resistence to therapies.
Disproportionate Representation of Minority Youth in the Juvenile Justice System: A Lack of Clarity and Too Much Disparity among States "Addressing" the Issue

This article explores how states are struggling to reduce the overrepresentation of youth of color in their juvenile justice systems by complying with the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. The JJDPA provides funding for states following its directive to identify, assess, and reduce the disproportionate contact by minority youth with the juvenile justice system. This article queries whether the JJDPA is an effective instrument with which to seek racial parity for minority youth who are already “in contact” with the juvenile justice system. It first provides a brief history and overview of the JJDPA, highlighting three areas of potential concern. This article then posits that these three focal points hinder, and may actually serve to undermine, the states from completing their mission of reducing, and eventually eliminating, the disproportionate representation of minority youth in the juvenile justice system. Various states are surveyed, and their limited successes in attempting to reduce disproportionate minority contact are noted. Finally, a strategy to catch children “pre-contact” through a continuum of school and community-based programs is discussed. President Obama’s projected 2012 budget proposes incentives for the states to remain in compliance with the JJDPA, though many of them appear to be in danger of falling out of conformity. With the JJDPA ripe for reauthorization, this issue is aptly timed for debate. This article supplies some ideas for consideration.
Affordable by Design? Inclusionary Housing Insights from Southern California

Many local governments face the challenge of addressing the shortage of affordable housing. This study examines the effectiveness of incentives and construction alternatives available from Southern...
Nache: design and implementation of a caching proxy for NFSv4

In this paper, we present Nache, a caching proxy for NFSv4 that enables a consistent cache of a remote NFS server to be maintained and shared across multiple local NFS clients. Nache leverages the features of NFSv4 to improve the performance of file accesses in a widearea distributed setting by bringing the data closer to the client. Conceptually, Nache acts as an NFS server to the local clients and as an NFS client to the remote server. To provide cache consistency, Nache exploits the read and write delegations support in NFSv4. Nache enables the cache and the delegation to be shared among a set of local clients, thereby reducing conflicts and improving performance. We have implemented Nache in the Linux 2.6 kernel. Using Filebench workloads and other benchmarks, we present the evaluation of Nache and show that it can reduce the NFS operations at the server by 10-50%.
Home environment and educational transitions on the path to college in rural northwest China

Abstract In China, the National College Entrance Examination (gaokao) is an important gateway to future life outcomes. In this paper, we analyze longitudinal survey data from two waves (2004 and 2009) of the Gansu Survey of Children and Families to examine the home environment factors that predict successful transitions on the path to participation in the college entrance examination among rural youth in Gansu province. Our results show that parents play a crucial role in determining their children's life chances through their shaping of a nurturing home learning environment.
Modeling user language proficiency in a writing tutor for deaf learners of English

In this paper we discuss a proposed user knowledge modeling architecture for the ICICLE system, a language tutoring application for deaf learners of written English. The model will represent the language proficiency of the user and is designed to be referenced during both writing analysis and feedback production. We motivate our model design by citing relevant research on second language and cognitive skill acquisition, and briefly discuss preliminary empirical evidence supporting the design. We conclude by showing how our design can provide a rich and robust information base to a language assessment / correction application by modeling user proficiency at a high level of granularity and specificity.
QUANTUM versus GRAVITATIONAL EFFECTS IN SUPERSYMMETRIC THEORIES

Abstract We consider what happens when certain globally supersymmetric grand unified models are coupled to N = 1 supergravity. Treating only leading (i.e. tree level) gravitational effects while treating non-gravitational effects to all orders, we show how the original globally supersymmetric theory is recovered as M p → ∞. This allows us to compare the importance of various gravitational and non-gravitational effects. A potentially realistic model is presented and analyzed. Possible quantum gravitational effects are mentioned.
On the Ratio and Regression Estimation in Finite Population Sampling

Abstract In this department The American Statistician publishes articles, reviews, and notes of interest to teachers of the first mathematical statistics course and of applied statistics courses. The department includes the Accent on Teaching Materials section; suitable contents for the section are described under the section heading. Articles and notes for the department, but not intended specifically for the section, should be useful to a substantial number of teachers of the indicated types of courses or should have the potential for fundamentally affecting the way in which a course is taught. A simple and more intuitive explanation of the bias of the ratio and the regression estimators of finite population is provided. The finite population is represented by certain regression fits, and the leading term of bias is described in terms of familiar concepts. We show that the asymptotic bias of the ratio estimator is due to intercept of a linear regression fit, whereas for the regression estimator, it is d...
Panelist Number III

Focuses on the learning process in the development of executives in a university program framework. Problem areas in the general area of university executive programs; Factors that characterize an ...
Harmonic distortion in transmission networks due to wind farm interconnection using IGBT frequency inverters

This paper presents an analysis of the harmonic distortion on the electric power system due to the connection of a large wind farm. The wind farm simulated use variable speed multipolar synchronous generators and their connection to the grid is made by an IGBT frequency inverter. These frequency inverters are modeled by using current sources. The simulation is performed in the time domain using the EMTP program. The current and voltage signals obtained at the wind farm point of common coupling (PCC) and the neighboring buses will be analyzed in order to calculate the total and individual harmonic distortion. The results will be showed by graphs and tables. The analysis of the voltage harmonic propagation into the bulk power system due to the connection of a new wind farm will show the possible need for harmonic distortion mitigation.
Conformational flexibility of three-way DNA junctions containing unpaired nucleotides.

Time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer has been used to examine the global structure and conformational flexibility of three-way DNA junctions containing unpaired bases at the branch ...
The bacteriophage f1 morphogenetic signal and the gene V protein/phage single-stranded DNA complex

Abstract The region of the bacteriophage f1 genome near the gene IV/intergenic region (IG) junction previously was shown to contain a sequence necessary for efficient packaging of single-stranded (SS) DNA into phage particles (the f1 “morphogenetic signal”) [ G. P. Dotto, V. Enea, and N. D. Zinder (1981) Virology114, 463–473]. The DNA content of f1 phage/pBR322 chimeric plasmid-transformed, phage-infected bacteria has been investigated. The chimeric plasmids, constructed by Dotto et al. (1981) , contained the f1 origins of DNA replication and, in some cases, also contained the “morphogenetic signal.” Chimeric plasmid SS DNA was detected in phage-infected bacteria harboring any one of these chimeric plasmids, and the majority of this SS DNA was found complexed to the phage gene V protein. Therefore, the “morphogenetic signal” is not required for the formation of the gene V protein/f1 SS DNA complex but instead must function at a later stage of filamentous phage morphogenesis.
Islamic Schools in Modern Turkey: Faith, Politics, and Education

In Islamic Schools in Modern Turkey, Iren Ozgur offers a multilayered examination of Turkey's Imam-Hatip schools, vocational middle and high schools initially formed with the purpose of training re...
Landscape change in Guatemala: Driving forces of forest and coffee agroforest expansion and contraction from 1990 to 2010

Abstract This study examines the land-use/cover change (LUCC) dynamics and drivers for two prominent land-use/cover systems in Guatemala: natural forests (FOR) and coffee agroforests (CAF). To-date, very little research has examined the LUCC dynamics of CAF, in large part due to the high degree of spectral similarity that exists between agroforests and other forest-cover types. Given the ecosystem and livelihood services provided by shade-grown coffee production, it is increasingly necessary to map and identify the dynamics and drivers of CAF changes over space and time. This research uses remote sensing analysis, land transition matrices, and multinomial regression models to examine LUCC dynamics over two ten-year intervals (1990–2000; 2000–2010) in Guatemala. Spatially explicit biophysical (e.g. slope, elevation) and accessibility (e.g. distance to roads) factors are used to model and compare drivers of change for CAF and FOR. Results demonstrate LUCC dynamics and drivers for the two land-use/cover systems to be complex over space and time. For example, FOR losses are evident for both time intervals, largely associated with conversion to CAF and croplands (CPL) in low slope, low altitude areas, and in areas close to existing croplands, respectively. CAF losses are also evident in the 1990s, but are outpaced by expansion in the 2000s. Losses are associated with conversion to CPL, particularly near roads and existing croplands, while expansion and/or persistence of CAF occurs near cities. These results suggest that conservation programs aimed at tree cover preservation and expansion should consider natural forests and managed agroforests separately. Further, such programs should be tailored to specific locations and institutional settings given the influence of topography and accessibility factors in determining localized patterns of landscape transformations over space and time.
Development policies, rural land use, and tropical deforestation

Abstract A two-sector economy has a central city linked to a Thunen-like rural sector by a Harris-Todaro labor-market clearing mechanism. The government collects a tax to pay for urban manufacturing infrastracture and rural transportation infrastracture. Additions to the urban infrastracture reduce the area under cultivation, cultivation, reducing pressure on frontier forests; rural wages rise and urban unemployment falls; the endogenous tax rate rises. Transportation improvements move urban unemployed into agriculture, raise rural wages, and expand the cultivated area, causing deforestation along frontiers; the tax rate falls, benefiting fixed-wage urban workers. Coalitions of interest groups are identified for several types of development policy.
Cereals market liberalization in Mali

Abstract This paper analyzes the impact of the process of liberalization of cereal markets in Mali. Most consumers, including food-deficient farmers, and private grain traders have benefited from the liberalization. Efforts to tie the liberalization to a minimum support price for farmers failed because the state lacked the resources to guarantee the support price. Furthermore, the ability of different types of farmers and traders to respond to opportunities created by the liberalization has varied widely, depending on their access to productive resources, improved technologies, information, and credit. Economy-wide constraints, such as the insecurity of contracts and liquidity constraints resulting from the failure of the government to pay salaries on time, have further limited the impact of the liberalization.
A hepatocellular adenoma in a rattlesnake.

Abstract A large hepatocellular adenoma with extracapsular extension was found at necropsy of a female Massassauga rattlesnake. Seven months earlier a portion of a mass in the region of the liver was surgically removed. The remaining liver contained multiple basophilic areas, which may represent preneoplastic changes. The reported case is the third known hepatocellular neoplasm of snakes.
Detection of Circularly Polarized γ-Rays and the Production of Polarized Electrons

IN a recent communication1, it was pointed out that the (n - γ) processes induced by polarized neutrons will in general lead to partially or totally polarized end-products. In particular, it was shown that for spin values of the initial and resulting nucleus of 0 and ½, respectively, the γ-ray emitted in the direction of the spin of the incident neutron is completely circularly polarized. The same result holds true for the pair of spin values ½, 0.
Removal of fatty soils from cotton in aqueous detergent systems

A gravimetric method for studying the factors involved in removing fatty soils from cotton in aqueous detergent systems is described, and comparative data are given for removal of lanolin, lard, sebum, and hydrocarbon soils from cotton. Comparisons are made for a number of surfactants used in detergent formulations and effects of various builders are noted. Effects of some of the parameters of the wash bath such as detergent concentration, water temperature, and wash time are discussed. It is thereby demonstrated that: 1. Maximum fatty soil removal is attained from cotton in 5 min or less at 120F with 0.25% of a good detergent. 2. A group of six representative anionic and nonionic surfactants vary considerably in their ability to remove sebum from cotton. 3. In general, the relative ability of a detergent system to remove one fatty soil applies to other fatty soils also. 4. The most effective inorganic salts for removing sebum were sodium tripolyphosphate and tetrasodium pyrophosphate. 5. The most effective active-builder combinations tested were built with sodium tripolyphosphate. 6. The improvement in fatty soil removal from cotton produced by building surfactants with inorganic salts was an additive or less than additive affect for the nonionics tested. With the anionies a few synergistic effects were noted. These effects were probably due to the inorganic salts lowering the CMC or increasing the size of the micelle. 7. Emulsification is probably an important mechanism in removing sebum from cotton.
Evaluation of Factors Affecting the Determination of Nitrogen in Soya Products by the Biuret and Orange‐G Dye‐Binding Methods

SUMMARY Nitrogen content of soya protein was determined by a modification of the biuret method in which protein extraction and color development occur simultaneously in an alkaline copper tartarate solution and by the orange-G dye-binding method. Percentage of total nitrogen content extracted into the solution increased as total nitrogen content increased. Amount of extracted nitrogen was reduced in coarsely ground or severely heated samples. In finely pulverized and untoasted samples, correlation of Kjeldahl protein with the biuret method of protein estimation was 0.985, and with the dye binding method was 0.989.
SU‐GG‐T‐572: Are Constant Dose Rate VMAT Plans Clinically Acceptable? — A Site‐By‐Site Plan Comparison Study

Purpose: To evaluate the adequacy of constant dose rate (CDR) VMAT plans for clinical use of commonly treated sites. The clinical acceptability of CDR VMAT plans was evaluated based on plan quality comparisons against clinically used IMRT plans. Methods: Several patient treatments planned using IMRT were considered for the study and replanned using Pinnacle 9.0 (SmartArc) treatment planning system. Several clinical sites were considered for this study — prostate and prostate bed (4 patients), pelvis (1), breast (1) and head and neck (H&N) (2). The quality of CDR plans normalized to PTV mean dose was compared against static field IMRT plans based on dose conformality, planning target volume (PTV) coverage and dose volume histograms (DVHs) of organs at risk (OAR). Results: Plan qualities of prostate, prostate bed and pelvis plans were evaluated based on rectum and bladder DVHs, PTV coverage and dose conformality. Prostate and prostate bed: CDR plan was found to be clinically acceptable with better OAR sparing and delivery time. Pelvis: CDR plan was lacking coverage and conformality and didn't have a significant advantage over the IMRT plan. Breast: Plan quality was evaluated based on PTV coverage, isodose conformality and DVHs generated for OARs — lungs,heart and cord. The CDR plan was clinically unacceptable, primarily due to low doses (<10Gy) covering a large volume of the lungs.H&N plans were evaluated based on PTV coverage, dose conformality and dose to parotids, cord and submandibular glands. The CDR plans were clinically unacceptable and didn't show significant advantage over IMRT plans beyond the reduced treatment time. Conclusion: The CDR plans for prostate and prostate bed were clinically acceptable and found to be equivalent, if not superior to IMRT plans. For the other sites investigated ‐ pelvis, breast, and H&N, static field IMRT plans proved to be superior to CDR plans.