cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anticentromere antibody as a predictor of digital ischemic loss in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Objective. To determine the clinical and serologic risk factors for digital ischemic events in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods. Retrospective review of clinical and laboratory data and review of current clinical status of 98 patients with SSc, seen between 1985 and 1990. Results. Amputation of 1 or more digits due to ischemia occurred in 20.4% of the patients; 9.2% had multiple digit loss. Sclerodactyly alone and anticentromere antibody (ACA) were associated with loss of 1 or more digits. Age, smoking status, duration of disease, or duration of Raynaud's phenomenon were not predictive for loss of digits. Conclusion. Patients with limited SSc who are positive for ACA have an increased risk of major peripheral vascular occlusive disease.
Chiral asymmetry in spiral galaxies

Spiral galaxies are chiral entities when coupled with the direction of their recession velocity. As viewed from the Earth, the S-shaped and Z-shaped spiral galaxies are two chiral forms. What is the nature of chiral symmetry in spiral galaxies? In the Carnegie Atlas of Galaxies that lists photographs of a total of 1,168 galaxies, we found 540 galaxies, classified as normal or barred spirals, that are clearly identifiable as S- or Z- type. The recession velocities for 538 of these galaxies could be obtained from this atlas and other sources. A statistical analysis of this sample reveals no overall asymmetry but there is a significant asymmetry in certain subclasses: dominance of S-type galaxies in the Sb class of normal spiral galaxies and a dominance of Z-type in the SBb class of barred spiral galaxies. Both S- and Z-type galaxies seem to have similar velocity distribution, indicating no spatial segregation of the two chiral forms. Chirality 13:351–356, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An Investigation of Phonological Impairment in Aphasia, Part 1

Summary Errors made by a selected group of aphasic subjects in the repetition of words and nonsense syllables were examined as to number of errors, type of error, lengths of stimulus, and position of error in response. Results indicated that the presence of a semantic component aids in phonological production, but type of error and incidence of error depends upon many complex factors. It was concluded that this argues against the concept of specific level impairment such as “combination or selection disorders” or ”apraxia of speech.”
The effects of a prison smoking ban on smoking behavior and withdrawal symptoms

This study investigated symptoms of distress and nicotine dependence as predictors of nicotine withdrawal symptoms among 188 incarcerated male smokers during a mandated smoking ban. Participants completed a smoking history questionnaire and measures of nicotine dependence, withdrawal, cravings, and distress before the ban and two follow-up times. The majority of smokers (76%) continued to smoke following the smoking ban. Smokers after the ban were more nicotine dependent than were the participants who reported quitting. Smokers also reported more withdrawal symptoms than did participants who quit, even when accounting for nicotine dependence and baseline withdrawal scores. An interaction was found such that distressed smokers had the highest level of nicotine withdrawal. These results have implications for how smoking bans are instituted in prison settings.
The Qualitative Arms Race: Pluralism Gone Mad?

Large-scale weapons systems have increasingly become part of a patronage system justified by claims about national defense. American politics tends to proceed by distribution, redistribution, and compromise. The disjunction between the "virtually" autonomous processes of worldwide weapons innovation and American incrementalism lead to a potentially disastrous situation. This situation is characterized by potential chaos in the integration of complex, interdependent combat and communication systems as well as a mindless arms race that seems to defy political control. A modest proposal is made to suggest a potential bureaucratic change agent.
Norms of semantic encoding variability for fifty homographs

Ss gave word associations to the same set of 50 homographs on two occasions that were separated by either 5 min or 48 h. For each homograph, the probability of S’s giving, at both tests, word associations that represented the same semantic sense was determined by semantic scoring of the responses. Conditional probabilities of encoding switches also were obtained. Values are presented for each homograph. The relationship between the strength of a homograph’s primary semantic sense and different test-re test encoding patterns is discussed.
Barí spear fishing: Advantages to group formation?

A study of spear fishing by the Bari of the Maracaibo Basin provides data demonstrating a benefit accruing to individual fishermen fishing in groups. An analysis of counts of successful and unsuccessful spear thrusts shows that fish are made more vulnerable to spear thrusts by companion fishermen who wear down and confuse the fish. Fish vulnerability is seen to depend on the number of encounters a fish has already survived. This Encounter History effect may be operative in other predator and prey relationships.
Gas velocity distribution in a circular circulating fluidized bed riser

Abstract An experimental study of gas velocity distribution in the riser of a circulating fluidized bed was carried out in a cold flow Plexiglas model. The gas velocity distribution is essential not only for design and scale-up but also for optimization of circulating fluidized bed reactors for fossil energy applications. Tests were conducted in a circulating fluidized bed riser with a diameter of 200 mm and a height of 5.5 m. The experimental results showed that the local gas velocity varied with radial position, elevation, solids circulation rate, superficial velocity and particle size. The particle circulation rates were found to have a significant influence on the gas velocity profiles. An empirical relationship for gas velocity distribution in the circulating fluidized bed riser was obtained based on the particle circulation rate, superficial velocity, and particle diameter.
Utilizing disk thermistors to indirectly measure convective heat transfer coefficients for forced, natural and combined (mixed) convection

An experimental technique has been developed for obtaining convective heat transfer data from commercially available thermistors of circular disk geometry. The use of self-heated thermistors to indirectly measure convective heat transfer coefficients and surface temperatures is unique and quite different from the classical method of mounting multiple heat patches and several temperature sensors on the surface of a heat transfer model. In this way, accurate heat transfer data is obtained for several different conditions ranging from pure natural to pure forced convection. From this experimental data, dimensionless correlations are obtained for this important geometry.
Synthesis and characterization of fluorescent displacers for online monitoring of displacement chromatography.

One of the major impediments to the implementation of displacement chromatography for the purification of biomolecules is the need to collect fractions from the column effluent for time-consuming offline analysis. The ability to employ direct online monitoring of displacement chromatography would have significant implications for applications ranging from analytical to preparative bioseparations. To this end, a set of novel fluorescent displacers were rationally designed using known chemically selective displacers as a template. Fluorescent cores were functionalized with different charge moieties, creating a homologous library of displacers. These compounds were then tested on two protein pairs, α-chymotrypsinogen A/ribonuclease A and cytochrome c/lysozyme, using batch and column displacement experiments. Of the synthesized displacers, two were found to be highly selective while one was determined to be a high-affinity displacer. Column displacements using one of the selective displacers yielded complete ...
Surveillance and the Tao of leadership: a perspective from the United States

This paper discusses how the epidemiologists who guide the collection, analysis, and sharing of public health data are powerful and can use their influence to bring about changes that will benefit the health of people around the world. They can frame public debate and the actions of policy makers on major health issues because they have the power to determine what health indicators are measured, which questions are asked, and how the raw data are presented. To be effective leaders, these epidemiologists can learn much from the ancient Chinese philosophy of the Tao Te Ching, which advises powerful people to lead others without domination or coercion.
A Holistically Deweyan Feminism

The argument that a holistic analysis of Dewey's work, drawing not only on the major portions subject to extensive commentary (such as Experience and Nature) but also on his aesthetics, provides fuel for feminist theorizing is sustained by advertence to the standard commentary and also to new work in aesthetic feminism itself. Sleeper, Rorty, Hickman and Russell are cited, and the recent resurgence of interest in developing the intersection between analytic aesthetics and feminist aesthetics is alluded to. It is concluded that the enterprising feminist theorist may suffer from an embarrassment of riches in attempting to approach Dewey but that such an approach is well worth the effort.
Convergence rate for predictive recursion estimation of finite mixtures

Abstract Predictive recursion (PR) is a fast stochastic algorithm for nonparametric estimation of mixing distributions in mixture models. It is known that the PR estimates of both the mixing and mixture densities are consistent under fairly mild conditions, but currently very little is known about the rate of convergence. Here I first investigate asymptotic convergence properties of the PR estimate under model misspecification in the special case of finite mixtures with known support. Tools from stochastic approximation theory are used to prove that the PR estimates converge, to the best Kullback–Leibler approximation, at a nearly root- n rate. When the support is unknown, PR can be used to construct an objective function which, when optimized, yields an estimate of the support. I apply the known-support results to derive a rate of convergence for this modified PR estimate in the unknown support case, which compares favorably to known optimal rates.
The serological relationships of Nairobi sheep disease virus.

Abstract Nairobi sheep disease virus has been shown to be identical with or very closely related to Ganjam virus, which has been isolated from ticks and mosquitoes in India. The virus of NSD also shows some serological relationships on complement-fixation with Dugbe virus and certain strains of Congo. Another Kenyan tick-borne virus shares this close serological relationship with NSD. Some relationships, which are not evident on complement-fixation tests, can be demonstrated by fluorescent antibody or indirect haemagglutination tests between NSD and other strains of Congo and Hazara virus. These would seem to be less significant.
Dasatinib induces autophagic cell death in human ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND: Dasatinib, an inhibitor of Src/Abl family kinases, can inhibit tumor growth of several solid tumors. However, the effect and mechanism of action of dasatinib in human ovarian cancer cells remains unknown. METHODS: Dasatinib-induced autophagy was determined by acridine orange staining, punctate localization of GFP-LC3, LC3 protein blotting, and electron microscopy. Significance of beclin 1, AKT, and Bcl-2 in dasatinib-induced autophagy and growth inhibition was assayed by small interfering RNA (siRNA) silencing and/or overexpression of the gene of interest. RESULTS: Dasatinib inhibited cell growth by inducing little apoptosis, but substantial autophagy in SKOv3 and HEY ovarian cancer cells. In vivo studies showed dasatinib inhibited tumor growth and induced both autophagy and apoptosis in a HEY xenograft model. Knockdown of beclin 1 and Atg12 expression with their respective siRNAs diminished dasatinib-induced autophagy, whereas knockdown of p27Kip1 with specific siRNAs did not. Small hairpin RNA knockdown of beclin 1 expression reduced dasatinib-induced autophagy and growth inhibition. Dasatinib reduced the phosphorylation of AKT, mTOR, p70S6K, and S6 kinase expression. Constitutive expression of AKT1 and AKT2 inhibited dasatinib-induced autophagy in both HEY and SKOv3 cells. Dasatinib also reduced Bcl-2 expression and activity. Overexpression of Bcl-2 partially prevented dasatinib-induced autophagy. CONCLUSIONS: Dasatinib induces autophagic cell death in ovarian cancer that partially depends on beclin 1, AKT, and Bcl-2. These results may have implications for clinical use of dasatinib. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
A uniform CLT for uniformly bounded families of martingale differences

This paper develops a method to get empirical central limit theorems for martingale differences that are uniformly bounded. The main idea is to generalize to martingales some ideas of E. Gine and J. Zinn [Ann. Prob.12, 929–989 (1984)]. We consider two examples: An extension of a theorem of R. Dudley from i.i.d. to a certain type of Markov chain, and a uniform CLT for the “baker's transformation”.
Theological Modernism, Cultural Libertarianism and Laissez-Faire Economics in Contemporary European Societies

Through analyses of national surveys of 12 European countries and Israel, we test hypatheses relating moral cosmology to cultural and economic attitudes. Modernists are theologically more individualistic than the religiously orthodox in that they see individuals, not a deity, as responsible for their fates and as the ultimate moral arbiters. We hypothesize that modernists, as theological individualists, are culturally individualistic or libertarian in supporting freedom of choice on cultural issues of abortion, sexuality, religlous education, and gender roles. We hypothesize as well that modernists are economically individualistic in believing that individuals are responsible for their own success or failure and that the solution to poverty and unemployment is greater effort by the poor and jobless themselves, not government aid or private charity. In our analyses we find support for both hypotheses. In conventional political terms, modernists are to the left of the religiously orthodox on cultural concerns but to the right of the orthodox on economic issues. What explains this paradox is the individualism that underlies both cultural libertarianism and laissez-faire economics.
Acute onset of halos and glare: bilateral corneal epithelial edema with cystic eruptions--atypical presentation of amiodarone keratopathy.

Abstract Background Amiodarone (Cordarone™; Wyeth, Ayerst, New York) is a potassium channel blocking antiarrythmal medication indicated for recurrent ventricular fibrillation and recurrent hemodynamically unstable ventricular tachycardia. Chemically, it is classified as an iodinated benzofuran derivate antiarrythmal drug not chemically related to any other available antiarrhythmic drug. Documented side effects of amiodarone include neurologic, gastrointestinal, dermatologic, cardiovascular, and ophthalmic. The ophthalmic abnormalities include optic neuropathy, optic neuritis, papilledema, corneal deposits, photosensitivity, lens opacities, and macular degeneration. Corneal microdeposits are seen in virtually all patients who receive amiodarone for more than 6 months. Corneal microdeposits result secondary to the secretion of amiodarone by the lacrimal gland with accumulation on, and absorption by, the corneal epithelium. Approximately 10% of these patients become symptomatic with glare and halos; however, that alone is usually not enough to precipitate intervention. Case report A 69-year-old woman presented to our office with a 2-week history of halos and glare in both eyes (OU). Her ocular history was significant for occasional contact lens wear. Her systemic history was significant for atrial fibrillation, for which she was taking amiodarone daily for the last 6 years. Six weeks before the onset of her chief complaint, her daily amiodarone dosage was increased from 100 mg to 300 mg. Ophthalmic examination found decreased visual acuities OU, amiodarone keratopathy (subepithelial verticillata), and diffuse corneal epithelial edema with diffuse sodium fluorescein staining OU. The corneal compromise was treated in 2 ways: the source medication was discontinued, and the ocular signs were medicated with a prophylactic topical antibiotic along with supportive preparations (tears/lubricants) and monitored over 2 weeks until full elimination of the pathologic signs and their symptoms. Even after complete resolution of the acute keratitis, the infiltrative keratopathy persisted along with the initial complaints of halos and glare. The supportive treatments were maintained over the course of 2 months until full recovery. Conclusion By exclusion, it was determined that the subepithelial depositions and cystic formations were secondary to an acute amiodarone dosage increase by a new practitioner. Prompt communication resulted in the physician discontinuing that medicine.
A simplex procedure for linear programs with some 0–1 integer constraints

Abstract For the problem “maximize cx , subject to Ax ⩽ b , x ⩾0 and a single 0–1 integer constraint dy ⩽ β , β ⩾0, y i = 1 when x i > 0 and zero otherwise”, it is shown that only the feasible extreme points of Ax ⩽ b , x ⩾0 need be searched. An adjacent vertex cut technique is developed to exclude, one at a time, the extreme points which are infeasible with respect to dy ⩽ β . In the concluding section, we also discuss the simple extension of the procedure to the case of multiple 0–1 constraints.
EFFECTS OF ELECTROSTATIC FIELDS AND POTENTIALS ON THE ELECTRONIC ENERGIES OF CONJUGATED ORGANIC MOLECULES

Spectroscopic experiments that study the effect of an externally applied electric field on transition energies provide a wealth of information if carried out under high-resolution conditions. We present experimental data for octatetraene incorporated into two alkane hosts, n-hexane and n-heptane, where persistent holes burned into the lowest lying electronic singlet transition serve as precise transition frequency markers. To access the information contained in these data, we use molecular mechanics simulations to arrive at microscopic models for the guest-host geometries and calculate the internal and polarization potentials of the structures. A general model describing how molecular electronic energy levels are affected by an arbitrary distribution of electrostatic fields and potentials over the size of a probe molecule is presented and applied to a simple π-electron model that accurately reproduces the electronic energies of linear polyenes. On this basis, the hole profiles are calculated and compared to the experimental results, leading to a microscopic picture of the guest-host structures and molecular electrostatic fields.
A model for the structure of MCM-41 incorporating surface roughness.

The surface area of MCM-41 mesoporous silica, estimated by several models in the literature, is significantly less than the value derived from BET analysis of nitrogen adsorption at 77.4 K. In the past, the difference has been attributed to several reasons including the errors involved in the BET analysis of the multilayer-capillary condensation region and the heterogeneity of the walls. In the present work, we present an alternate model of MCM-41 based on molecular simulations that gives surface area values that are in closer agreement to those determined by experiment. The model incorporates bulk heterogeneity of the material, surface hydroxyls, and most importantly, physical deformations or indentations of the pore surface. The model predicts small-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) results that are consistent with experimental data as well as surface areas and pore volumes that compare favorably with published experimental results. The simulation results are consisten...
Evaluation of an intraoral maxillary molar distalization technique

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the pendulum appliance on distalization of maxilfary molars and the reciprocal effects on the anchor premolars and maxillary incisors. Initial and follow-up cephalometric radiographs were obtained on 41 subjects (26 girls and 15 boys) who were treated with the pendulum appliance for bilateral distalization of the maxillary first molar teeth, for correction of the Class II molar relationship or for gaining space in the maxillary arch. Dental casts were available on 31 patients. Dental, skeletal, and soft tissue changes were determined. The mean maxillary first molar distalization was 3.37 mm, with a distal tipping of 8.36°. The mean reciprocal mesial movement of the first premolar was 2.55 mm, with a mesial tipping of 1.29°. The maxillary first mo/ar position intruded 0.1 mm, whereas the first premolar extruded 1.7 mm. The transverse width between the mesiobuccal cusps of the first molars increased 1.40 mm. The maxillary second molars were also distalized 2.27 mm, tipped distally 11.99°, and moved buccally 2.33 mm. The effect of distalization on the maxillary third molars was extremely variable. The eruption of maxillary second molars had minimal effect on distalization of first molars. The lower anterior face height increased by 2.79 mm. This increase was greater in patients with higher Frankfort-mandibular plane angle measurements. The pendulum appliance is an effective and reliable method for distalizing maxillary molars, provided the anchor unit is adequately reinforced. Its major advantages are minimal dependence on patient compliance, ease of fabrication, one-time activation, adjustment of the springs if necessary to correct minor transverse and vertical molar positions, and patient-acceptance.
HIV Tests And New Diagnoses Declined After California Budget Cuts, But Reallocating Funds Helped Reduce Impact

Historically, California supplemented federal funding of HIV prevention and testing so that Californians with HIV could become aware of their infection and obtain lifesaving treatment. However, budget deficits in 2009 led the state to eliminate its supplemental funding for HIV prevention. We analyzed the impact of California's HIV resource allocation change between state fiscal years 2009 and 2011. We found that the number of HIV tests declined 19 percent, from 66,629 to 53,760, in local health jurisdictions with high HIV burden. In low-burden jurisdictions, the number of HIV tests declined 90 percent, from 20,302 to 2,116. New diagnoses fell from 2,434 in 2009 to 2,235 in 2011 (calendar years) in high-burden jurisdictions and from 346 to 327 in low-burden ones. California's budget crunch prompted state and local programs to redirect remaining HIV funds from risk reduction education to testing activities. Thus, the impact of the budget cuts on HIV tests and new HIV diagnoses was smaller than might have been expected given the size of the cuts. As California's fiscal outlook improves, we recommend that the state restore supplemental funding for HIV prevention and testing.
The eikonal equation in a moving medium

The eikonal equation as derived by Sommerfeld and Runge has been extended to include the case of moving media under the condition where (v/c) ≪ 1 (v is the velocity of the medium, c is the speed of light in vacuum). Using the Hamilton Jacobi formalism, the equivalent system of linear equations was determined which can be used for ray tracing. An exmple of a moving medium where the index of refraction is a function of one of the coordinates has been considered.
"Sorry, I Forgot the Attachment:" Email Attachment Prediction

The missing attachment problem: a missing attachment generates a wave of emails from the recipients notifying the sender of the error. We present an attachment prediction system to reduce the volume of missing attachment mail. Our classifier could prompt an alert when an outgoing email is missing an attachment. Additionally, the system could activate an attachment recommendation system, whereby suggested documents are oered once the system determines the user is likely to include an attachment, eectively reminding the user to include the attachment. We present promising initial results and discuss implications of our work.
Crystal structure of a 30 kDa C-terminal fragment from the γ chain of human fibrinogen

Abstract Background: Blood coagulation occurs by a cascade of zymogen activation resulting from minor proteolysis. The final stage of coagulation involves thrombin generation and limited proteolysis of fibrinogen to give spontaneously polymerizing fibrin. The resulting fibrin network is covalently crosslinked by factor XIIIa to yield a stable blood clot. Fibrinogen is a 340 kDa glycoprotein composed of six polypeptide chains, ( α β γ ) 2 , held together by 29 disulfide bonds. The globular C terminus of the γ chain contains a fibrin-polymerization surface, the principal factor XIIIa crosslinking site, the platelet receptor recognition site, and a calcium-binding site. Structural information on this domain should thus prove helpful in understanding clot formation. Results: The X-ray crystallographic structure of the 30 kDa globular C terminus of the γ chain of human fibrinogen has been determined in one crystal form using multiple isomorphous replacement methods. The refined coordinates were used to solve the structure in two more crystal forms by molecular replacement; the crystal structures have been refined against diffraction data to either 2.5 A or 2.1 A resolution. Three domains were identified in the structure, including a C-terminal fibrin-polymerization domain (P), which contains a single calcium-binding site and a deep binding pocket that provides the polymerization surface. The overall structure has a pronounced dipole moment, and the C-terminal residues appear highly flexible. Conclusions: The polymerization domain in the γ chain is the most variable among a family of fibrinogen-related proteins and contains many acidic residues. These residues contribute to the molecular dipole moment in the structure, which may allow electrostatic steering to guide the alignment of fibrin monomers during the polymerization process. The flexibility of the C-terminal residues, which contain one of the factor XIIIa crosslinking sites and the platelet receptor recognition site, may be important in the function of this domain.
Going Gaga: Investigating, Creating, and Manipulating the Song Stuck in My Head

Summary: Having a song stuck in your head is a commonly experienced intrusive thought. We explored the intrusive song phenomenon through a survey, an experimental diary study, and three laboratory experiments. Contrary to the belief that only obnoxious songs get stuck, we found that songs people know and like frequently became intrusive. We also found that intrusive songs followed environmental cues. In addition, if a song continued to play in someone's head immediately after listening to it, the song was likely to return as an intrusive song within the next 24 hours. Similar to mind wandering, the return of intrusive songs depended on cognitive resources: people reported that intrusive songs returned during low cognitive load activities, and we found that overloading the cognitive systems with challenging activities increased intrusive song frequency. Throughout our studies, we easily created and manipulated intrusive song experiences. Songs provide a valuable method to investigate intrusive thoughts. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biomarkers in drug development and regulation: a paradigm for clinical implementation of personalized medicine

The post-genomic era has been hallmarked by significant enthusiasm for therapeutic individualization through the use of pharmacogenomic and other biomarkers. This enthusiasm has been dampened by limited examples of widespread clinical adoption. The current clinical implementation paradigm may not be adequate to facilitate uptake of pharmacogenetics for a variety of reasons. This paper discusses certain limitations of the classical clinical implementation paradigm and describes the drug development paradigm as an additional, powerful mechanism to facilitate clinical implementation of individualized therapeutics.
Dynamics of the Galapagos hotspot from helium isotope geochemistry

Abstract We have measured the isotopes of He, Sr, Nd and Pb in a number of lava flows from the Galapagos Archipelago; the main goal is to use magmatic helium as a tracer of plume influence in the western volcanoes. Because the Galapagos lava flows are so well preserved, it is also possible to measure surface exposure ages using in situ cosmic-ray-produced 3He. The exposure ages range from
Strategies for Carbon Neutrality

Abstract More than 400 colleges and universities have committed to addressing climate change in a meaningful way, including exploring strategies for becoming climate neutral. Since there is no blueprint for achieving such an aggressive goal, universities are exploring a variety of approaches and varying levels of commitments. This paper poses a set of foundational principles helpful for institutions as they go about the process of developing strategic plans for climate neutrality.
Acquisition of peer manding and listener responding in young children with autism

Abstract Individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder demonstrate impairments in communication and social interaction. The importance of acquiring those skills, especially as young children, has been well established in the literature. Peer-mediated interventions have recently received much attention; however, its use is contingent upon access to typically developing peers, which is not always the case in all educational settings. Thus, it is often necessary for specific instruction to occur for matched peers when conducting instruction for peer-mediated communication. However, strategies for teaching these skills have not adequately addressed the role of the listener, especially that of a matched peer, within the instructional setting. Listener responding is a required component for teaching this type of behavior, for without it these emerging skills may not produce reinforcement. Once taught, the communicative skills will require reinforcement from peer-listeners if those skills are to be maintained beyond the instructional setting. The current study arranged for young children with autism to play both the speaking and listening roles in the acquisition of peer-mediated communication (i.e., mand) skills, within a multiple baseline design. The study resulted in increases in independent peer manding and listener responding in all three children.
Studies of the Corrosion Properties of Ni-Cr-Mo-Gd Neutron-Absorbing Alloys

Abstract The corrosion properties of Ni-Cr-Mo-Gd alloys that are being developed for use as a neutron-absorbing structural material were examined. The corrosion work was part of a larger alloy development program. The corrosion properties were examined by both electrochemical and longer-term immersion testing in standard test solutions and in simulated solutions used in corrosion testing by the Yucca Mountain Project. The addition of Gd to a Ni-Cr-Mo alloy results in the formation of a gadolinide (Ni5Gd) secondary phase. This phase was observed to preferentially dissolve under electrochemical testing at anodic potentials. The reaction appears to be mostly limited to the secondary phase exposed to the surface. A brief comparison with another neutron-absorbing alloy, borated stainless steel, is made.
Corrections for criterion reliability in validity generalization: A false prophet in a land of suspended judgment.

The results of meta-analytic (MA) and validity generalization (VG) studies continue to be impressive. In contrast to earlier findings that capped the variance accounted for in job performance at roughly 16%, many recent studies suggest that a single predictor variable can account for between 16 and 36% of the variance in some aspect of job performance. This article argues that this “enhancement” in variance accounted for is often attributable not to improvements in science but to a dumbing down of the standards for the values of statistics used in correction equations. With rare exceptions, applied researchers have suspended judgment about what is and is not an acceptable threshold for criterion reliability in their quest for higher validities. We demonstrate a statistical dysfunction that is a direct result of using low criterion reliabilities in corrections for attenuation. Corrections typically applied to a single predictor in a VG study are instead applied to multiple predictors. A multiple correlation analysis is then conducted on corrected validity coefficients. It is shown that the corrections often used in single predictor studies yield a squared multiple correlation that appears suspect. Basically, the multiple predictor study exposes the tenuous statistical foundation of using abjectly low criterion reliabilities in single predictor VG studies. Recommendations for restoring scientific integrity to the meta-analyses that permeate industrial–organizational (I–O) psychology are offered.
Gender differences in contractile and passive properties of mdx extensor digitorum longus muscle.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked, recessive, muscle-wasting disease. It is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene.1 The mdx mouse is the most commonly used model for studying the pathogenesis of DMD and developing new therapies.2 Dystrophin expression is abolished in mdx mice due to a nonsense point mutation in exon 23 of the dystrophin gene.3 In contrast to humans, mdx mice are only mildly affected. Importantly, they are fertile.4 As a result, both male and female mdx mice are readily available for preclinical studies. Although it is generally accepted that gender may profoundly influence animal physiology, very few studies have explored the impact of gender on disease progression and therapeutic outcome in mdx mice, as reviewed by Grounds et al.5 In fact, some studies have grouped mdx mice of opposite genders into one group.6–8 Change in muscle mechanical properties is a major clinical symptom and a critical therapeutic endpoint. However, male and female differences in muscle contractile and mechanical properties have not been studied in mdx mice. In this study we compared isometric tetanic force generation and passive (elastic and viscous) properties of the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle between genders in mdx and C57Bl/10 (BL10) mice. We observed a significant difference in body weight, EDL muscle weight, and EDL muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) between male and female mice. Although nominal differences were detected in active and passive contractile properties between male and female BL10 mice, gender-associated changes were observed in mdx animals. Specifically, female mdx mice exhibited significantly higher specific tetanic force than male mdx mice at 6 months of age. Although 20-month-old male and female mdx mice yielded similar specific tetanic force, the absolute tetanic force was significantly reduced in the females at this age. In addition, 20-month-old female mdx EDL muscle was stiffer than that of aged-matched male mdx muscle. Interestingly, female mdx muscle also showed a higher hydroxyproline content than males. Taken together, our data suggest that gender may profoundly influence the physiological properties of mdx skeletal muscle.
Categorical Foundations of the Protean Character of Mathematics

Mathematics is protean; it is that part of science which deals with “things,” each of which can appear in many different applications. The “things” are often described as “structures”. Despite the familiar emphasis on set-theory, these structures are more than just sets; thus a group G is a set such that any two elements g and h of the group G have a product gh with the usual good algebraic properties. A vector space V is a set of things (vectors) which can be suitably added and suitably multiplied by scalars (real numbers).
Synthesis of the C1–C16 fragment of spirastrellolide A

Abstract Synthesis of the C1–C16 fragment of spirastrellolide A is described here featuring Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, an acid promoted O-1,4-addition, and Mukaiyama 1,3-anti-aldol.
Geographic Selection in the Small Heat Shock Gene Complex Differentiating Populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura

Environmental temperature plays a crucial role in determining a species distribution and abundance by affecting individual physiological processes, metabolic activities, and developmental rates. Many studies have identified clinal variation in phenotypes associated with response to environmental stresses, but variation in traits associated with climatic adaptation directly attributed to sequence variation within candidate gene regions has been difficult to identify. Insect heat shock genes are possible agents of thermal tolerance because of their involvement in protein folding, traffic, protection, and renaturation at the cellular level in response to temperature stress. Previously, members of the Drosophila small heat shock protein (sHSP) complex (Hsp23, Hsp26, Hsp27, Hsp67Ba) have been implicated as candidate climatic adaptation genes; therefore, this research examines sequence variation at these genes in 2 distant populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura. Flies from Tempe, AZ (n 5 30) and Cheney, WA (n 5 17) were used in the study. We identify high differentiation in the heat-shock complex (FST : 0.219**, 0.262*, 0.279***, 0.166 not significant) as compared with neighboring genes and Tajima’s D values indicative of balancing selection (Mann‐Whitney U 5 38, n1 5 10 n2 5 4, P , 0.05 two-tailed), both of which are suggestive of such climatic adaptation.
Chlamydia trachomatis Tarp Harbors Distinct G and F Actin Binding Domains That Bundle Actin Filaments

ABSTRACT All species of Chlamydia undergo a unique developmental cycle that transitions between extracellular and intracellular environments and requires the capacity to invade new cells for dissemination. A chlamydial protein called Tarp has been shown to nucleate actin in vitro and is implicated in bacterial entry into human cells. Colocalization studies of ectopically expressed enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-Tarp indicate that actin filament recruitment is restricted to the C-terminal half of the effector protein. Actin filaments are presumably associated with Tarp via an actin binding alpha helix that is also required for actin nucleation in vitro , but this has not been investigated. Tarp orthologs from C. pneumoniae, C. muridarum, and C. caviae harbor between 1 and 4 actin binding domains located in the C-terminal half of the protein, but C. trachomatis serovar L2 has only one characterized domain. In this work, we examined the effects of domain-specific mutations on actin filament colocalization with EGFP-Tarp. We now demonstrate that actin filament colocalization with Tarp is dependent on two novel F-actin binding domains that endow the Tarp effector with actin-bundling activity. Furthermore, Tarp-mediated actin bundling did not require actin nucleation, as the ability to bundle actin filaments was observed in mutant Tarp proteins deficient in actin nucleation. These data shed molecular insight on the complex cytoskeletal rearrangements required for C. trachomatis entry into host cells.
Work in progress - moving away from an introductory programming sequence

This WIP describes an effort to create a better starting course sequence for computing degrees. This effort, the entrypoint project, focuses primarily on the first two years of the undergraduate program. As such, a key aspect of the effort relates to the traditional introductory programming sequence, and an attempt to move beyond that approach. A three dimensional model, CAP (content, application, and process), is used to organize the discussion of introductory courses.
Improving SNP discovery by base alignment quality

Summary: I propose a new application of profile Hidden Markov Models in the area of SNP discovery from resequencing data, to greatly reduce false SNP calls caused by misalignments around insertions and deletions (indels). The central concept is per-Base Alignment Quality, which accurately measures the probability of a read base being wrongly aligned. The effectiveness of BAQ has been positively confirmed on large datasets by the 1000 Genomes Project analysis subgroup. Availability: http://samtools.sourceforge.net Contact: hengli@broadinstitute.org
Ultrasound-guided soft catheter embryo transfers will improve pregnancy rates in in-vitro fertilization

Attempts to improve clinical pregnancy rates after in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer are constantly being made. Two changes in technique of embryo transfer of potential clinical importance were evaluated over two contiguous time periods in order to observe any corresponding change in clinical pregnancy (CP) rate per transfer: (i) embryo transfer catheter; (ii) ultrasound guidance. Catheter choices were hard: Tefcat, Tom Cat, or Norfolk; or soft: Frydman or Wallace. Ultrasound visualization was considered to be excellent/good when the catheter could be followed from the cervix to the fundus by transabdominal ultrasound with retention of the embryo-containing fluid droplet; fair/poor if visualization could not document the sequence of events. Embryo transfers were performed in 518 cycles. CP rates per transfer using soft and hard catheters was 36 and 17% (P < 0.000) respectively. CP rates per transfer for transfers performed with and without ultrasound guidance were 38 and 25% (P < 0.002) respectively. A statistically significant difference was also noted when visualization ranks were compared. CP rates per transfer in all excellent/good ultrasound-guided transfers was 41.5 versus 16.7% for fair/poor transfers (P < 0.038). In conclusion, performance of embryo transfer with a soft catheter under ultrasound guidance with good visualization resulted in a significant increase in clinical pregnancy rates.
Identification of Parameters in a Freeway Traffic Model

The methodology of discrete time, extended Kalman filtering is applied to the problem of identifying parameters of a macroscopic freeway traffic model. Macroscopic models provide a representation of traffic flow in terms of its gross properties, i.e., volume, density, and speed. The local identifiability of a parameterization of macroscopic model at nominal values of the unknown parameters is checked before any identification is attempted. It is shown that the parameterization is locally identifiable. Two parameters of the model (reaction time and sensitivity to changing density) were identified through the use of this methodology. The data base for studies to date was generated from a microscopic simulation of freeway traffic, which involves following all individual vehicle movements. Techniques for extending the methodology to employ real freeway traffic data, especially as can be obtained from automated surveillance systems, are discussed.
Response to Letter Regarding Article, "Endovascular Thrombectomy for Anterior Circulation Stroke: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis".

We thank Lahiri et al1 for their careful review of our article, “Endovascular Thrombectomy for Anterior Circulation Stroke: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” for identifying this error and for your thoughtful comments. The statement in the abstract that patients who did not receive intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator before endovascular therapy benefited from endovascular therapy was in …
Identification of an adipose tissue-like lipoprotein lipase in perfusates of chicken liver

The nature of the lipolytic activity released from chicken livers perfused with Krebs-Ringer buffer (pH 7.0) containing heparin (50 or 10 Ulml), fraction V albumin (3%), and glycerol (20%) was investigated. The nonrecircu- lating perfusates contained both the previously described NaC1-resistant "liver lipase" as well as an apoLp-Glu- activated lipoprotein lipase (LPL). Crude perfusate lipo- lytic activity was separated on heparin-Sepharose columns into two enzymatic peaks which were eluted at mean NaCI molarities of 0.75 M (liver lipase) and 1.2 M (LPL). The liver LPL activity was stimulated 7-fold by human apoLp-Glu (half maximal activity at 1.5 Fg/ml) and inhibi- ted by apoLp-Ala, apoLp-Ser, apoLp-GlnI, and apoLP- GlnII. Liver LPL was fully inhibited by anti-adipose LPL immunoglobulins. The "liver lipase" was not affected by apoLp-Glu (3-34 pg/ml) or anti-adipose LPL immuno- globulins. The data demonstrate the presence in liver perfusates of a LPL with properties similar to adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase.
A component-based framework for the Cell Broadband Engine

With the increasing trend of microprocessor manufacturers to rely on parallelism to increase their products' performance, there is an associated increasing need for simple techniques to leverage this hardware parallelism for good application performance. Unfortunately, many application developers do not have the benefit of long experience in programming parallel and distributed systems. While the filter-stream programming paradigm helps bridge the gap between developers of scientific applications and the performance they need, current and future high-performance multicore processor designs do not have a filter-stream programming library available. This work aims to fill that gap in the software world. This initial DataCutter-Lite implementation defines a powerful, but simple abstraction for carrying out complex computations in a filter-stream model. Additionally, the initial implementation shows that complex architectures such as the Cell Broadband Engine Architecture can make use of the filter-stream model, and give good application performance when doing so.
Bladder cancer diagnosis with fluorescence guided spectral domain optical coherence tomography in a rat model

A fluorescence-image-guided spectral domain OCT (FG-SDOCT) system is described. With the recent development of spectral domain OCT, the new system is able to visualize morphological details of urinary bladder with high image fidelity (e.g., 10um/12um axial/lateral resolutions, >110dB dynamic range) at 4~8-fold improved frame rate. Ex vivo study based on an AY-27 rat cancer model was performed to evaluate its ability to enhance the sensitivity and specificity. Total 82 specimens were examined by hyperisin-induced fluorescence imaging, OCT and histological microscopy sequentially. The preliminary results demonstrate the sensitivity and specificity of FG-SDOCT is 100% and 90% respectively, compared to 85% and 49% for fluorescence imaging. This significant improvement indicates that FG-OCT is a very promising technique for effective early bladder cancer diagnosis in combination of endoscopic OCT.
The power of various real-valued quantum queries

The computation of combinatorial and numerical problems on quantum computers is often much faster than on a classical computer in numbers of queries. A query is a procedure by which the quantum computer gains information about the specific problem. Different query definitions were given and our aim is to review them and to show that these definitions are not equivalent. To achieve this result we will study the simulation and approximation of one query type by another. While approximation is "easy" in one direction, we will show that it is "hard" in the other direction by a lower bound for the numbers of queries needed in the simulation. The main tool in this lower bound proof is a relationship between quantum algorithms and trigonometric polynomials that we will establish.
Selective desorption of high-purity (6,5) SWCNTs from hydrogels through surfactant modulation

Selective desorption of (6,5) single-wall carbon nanotubes from hydrogels only occurs at specific co-surfactant ratios. High-purity fractions are obtained at this ratio even with long elution times and different total co-surfactant concentrations. These results suggest that each (n,m) type forms a thermodynamically-stable surfactant structure in the co-surfactant solution, enabling high-fidelity separations in a single column.