cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conversion of low-quality cotton to bioplastics

The use of eco-friendly bioplastics has become a viable solution to reduce the accumulation of petrochemical products in the biosphere and to decrease microplastic contamination. In this study, we used low-quality cotton fibers that lack textile applications to prepare bioplastics. We dissolved cotton fibers in N,N-dimethylacetamide/lithium chloride (DMAc/LiCl) solvent system and converted cellulose solutions to strong, transparent, and flexible films through casting, gelation, regeneration, plasticization, and hot-pressing. Films were characterized using different analytical techniques to evaluate their physicochemical and mechanical properties. Compared to raw cotton cellulose, regenerated and hot-pressed cellulose films showed amorphous structures and excellent tensile characteristics. The physical and mechanical properties of cellulose films, such as deformation recovery, flexibility, homogeneity, elongation, and surface roughness, were significantly improved by means of plasticization and hot-pressing. Because glycerol plasticization increased the surface hydrophilicity of the films, plasma-induced surface grafting of oleic acid imparted hydrophobicity to cellulose films. This study presents a new avenue for using low-quality cotton fibers that are usually sold at a discounted price to produce value-added bioproducts for different applications.
Unlocking mammalian regeneration through hypoxia inducible factor one alpha signaling

Historically, the field of regenerative medicine has aimed to heal damaged tissue through the use of biomaterials scaffolds or delivery of foreign progenitor cells. Despite 30 years of research, however, translation and commercialization of these techniques has been limited. To enable mammalian regeneration, a more practical approach may instead be to develop therapies that evoke endogenous processes reminiscent of those seen in innate regenerators. Recently, investigations into tadpole tail regrowth, zebrafish limb restoration, and the super-healing Murphy Roths Large (MRL) mouse strain, have identified ancient oxygen-sensing pathways as a possible target to achieve this goal. Specifically, upregulation of the transcription factor, hypoxia-inducible factor one alpha (HIF-1α) has been shown to modulate cell metabolism and plasticity, as well as inflammation and tissue remodeling, possibly priming injuries for regeneration. Since HIF-1α signaling is conserved across species, environmental or pharmacological manipulation of oxygen-dependent pathways may elicit a regenerative response in non-healing mammals. In this review, we will explore the emerging role of HIF-1α in mammalian healing and regeneration, as well as attempts to modulate protein stability through hyperbaric oxygen treatment, intermittent hypoxia therapy, and pharmacological targeting. We believe that these therapies could breathe new life into the field of regenerative medicine.
Drivers of dynamic intratumor heterogeneity and phenotypic plasticity.

Cancer is a clonal disease, i.e., all tumor cells within a malignant lesion trace their lineage back to a precursor somatic cell that acquired oncogenic mutations during development and aging. And ...
An evaluation of StaySafe, a tablet app to improve health risk decision-making among people under community supervision.

Abstract Background A self-administered tablet app, StaySafe, helps people under community supervision to make better decisions regarding health risk behaviors, especially those linked to HIV, viral hepatitis, and other sexually transmitted infections. The multi-session StaySafe design uses an interactive, analytical schema called WORKIT that guides users through a series of steps, questions, and exercises aimed at promoting critical thinking about health risks associated with substance use and unprotected sex. Repetition of the WORKIT schema is designed to enhance procedural memory that can be rapidly accessed when individuals are faced with making decisions about risky behaviors. Methods A total of 511 participants under community supervision in community and residential treatment settings from three large Texas counties completed consent forms and baseline surveys, followed by randomization to one of two conditions: 12 weekly StaySafe sessions or standard practice (SP). The study also asked participants to complete a follow-up survey three months after baseline. Outcome measures included knowledge, confidence, and motivation (KCM) scales around HIV knowledge, avoiding risky sex, HIV services, and reducing health risks; decision-making; and reports of talking about issues such as making better decisions, avoiding HIV risks, and HIV prevention or treatment with others (probation officers, counselors, trusted friend or advisor, or family members). Results Participants in both community and residential settings voluntarily completed multiple StaySafe sessions, with those in the residential settings completing more sessions. When compared with SP participants, StaySafe participants showed greater improvement in the KCM measures—HIV knowledge, avoiding sex risks, HIV services, and risk reduction skills. In addition, greater improvements in the KCM measures as well as an increased likelihood to discuss issues with others were associated with completing more StaySafe sessions. Conclusion These results suggest that the StaySafe app is a feasible and potentially effective tool for improving health risk reduction decision-making for individuals under community supervision.
Probability and Statistical Data Analysis

Teaching probability and statistical data analysis begins at the primary school level and continues through higher levels of mathematics education. At the middle school level, mathematics teaching standards related to the topics dealing with random phenomena and their disciplined description emphasize mathematical modeling, the appropriate use of physical and digital teaching tools, and the experimental character of situations associated with uncertain outcomes.
Investigating the Catalytic Requirements of Perovskite Fuel Electrodes Using Ultra-Low Metal Loadings

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) with La0.3Sr0.7TiO3 (LST)–yttria-stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ) anodes were prepared by impregnation of LST into porous YSZ scaffolds and then modified by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) of Ni, Pt, Pd, Fe, Co. and CeO2. Weight loadings as low as 0.01% of Pt, Ni, and Pd were sufficient to decrease anode impedances by orders of magnitude for operation in humidified H2 at 973 K. The effects of CeO2, Co, and Fe were less but still significant. Sintering at higher temperatures was important. Possible ways of stabilizing the metal particles and implications for developing ceramic anodes are discussed.
Lithics: Approaches to stone tool analysis

Chapter 4 introduced a classification scheme that separated chipped stone artifacts into two primary groups: debitage and tools. Tools are considered to be all those chipped stone objective pieces that have been modified by intentionally altering their form and those detached pieces that show signs of modification as a result of use. The discussion thus far has dealt primarily with debitage or chipped stone artifacts that are not tools. Now the discussion turns to tools, specifically bifaces (Figure 4.7, 3a), flake tools (Figure 4.7, 4c), and cores (Figure 4.7, 4d). Since chipped stone tools include specimens that may have been altered by usewear only, it is important to re-emphasize the point that the analysis in this book is restricted to macroscopic approaches. Macroscopic approaches frequently require the use of a hand lens of about 10 × to observe some of the smaller attributes on stone tools. A small hand lens is particularly helpful in recognizing striking platform characteristics and retouch patterns. If magnification is required that is greater than that provided by a hand lens, a researcher needs to consider microscopic analysis. The section on “artifact function” at the end of this chapter provides a short discussion and review of microscopic techniques of stone tool analysis. Excellent studies of microscopic lithic analysis exist in the published literature (Hayden 1979a; Keeley 1980; Kooyman 1985; Levi-Sala 1996; Lewenstein 1987; Vaughan 1985). Macroscopic analysis of stone tools is considerably less time consuming than microscopic analysis.
Defining the safe working zones using the minimally invasive lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach: An anatomical study

Object The lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach is being increasingly employed to treat various spinal disorders. The minimally invasive blunt retroperitoneal and transpsoas dissection poses a risk of injury to major nervous structures. The addition of electrophysiological monitoring potentially decreases the risk of injury to the lumbar plexus. With respect to the use of the direct transpsoas approach, however, there is sparse knowledge regarding the relationship between the retroperitoneum/psoas muscle and the lumbar plexus at each lumbar segment. The authors undertook this anatomical cadaveric dissection study to define the anatomical safe zones relative to the disc spaces for prevention of nerve injuries during the lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach. Methods Twenty lumbar segments were dissected and studied. The relationship between the retroperitoneum, psoas muscle, and the lumbar plexus was analyzed. The area between the anterior and posterior edges of the vertebral body (VB) was div...
Expansion of the IgD class switched B cell population in carriers of the autoimmune disease associated risk haplotype in BLK (HUM2P.332)

Polymorphisms in BLK are associated with numerous autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. BLK (B lymphocyte kinase) is a tyrosine kinase involved in signaling through the B cell receptor (BCR). The disease risk haplotype is known to be associated with reduced expression of BLK transcript and the most significant association of reduced BLK transcript is with a candidate causal SNP rs922483. We have previously shown that expression of BLK is reduced in cord blood B cells from carriers of rs922483 risk alleles (HMG 2012). B cell development is perturbed in blk transgenic and knockout mice, and B cells from these mice are hyper-responsive to BCR stimulation. To determine if reduced BLK expression affects the function of primary human B cells we measured CD86 expression in cells stimulated by anti-IgM. As in mice, cord blood B cells from risk allele carriers are hyper-responsive to BCR stimulation. We also assessed if BLK risk variants convey any variation on the composition of circulating B cell populations of healthy adults. We observed that subjects with BLK risk variants have an expansion in the proportion and number of IgD class-switched B cells, and an increase in the total number of class-switched memory B cells. These results suggest that BLK risk haplotypes confer autoimmune disease susceptibility by reducing a negative regulatory effect of BLK, making B cells more likely to receive help from CD4 T cells and to undergo class switch recombination.
Evaluation of Honeywell recoverable computer system (RCS) in presence of electromagnetic effects

The design and development of a closed-loop system to study and evaluate the performance of the Honeywell recoverable computer system (RCS) in electromagnetic environments (EME) is presented. The development of a Windows-based software package to handle the time critical communication of data and commands between the RCS and flight simulation code in real-time, while meeting the stringent hard deadlines is also presented. The performance results of the RCS while exercising flight control laws under ideal conditions as well as in the presence of electromagnetic fields is also discussed.
Promises and Pitfalls in the Spatial Prediction of Ethnic Violence: A Comment

Despite increasing technical sophistication, the quantitative literature has made little progress in forecasting ethnic violence. Nevertheless, recent efforts in predicting the location of ethnic violence from the spatial ethnic distribution seem to be a major step forward. In 2007, Lim, Metzler, and Bar-Yam proposed an agent-based model that takes as input the ethnic map of a country and derives from it the predicted locations of ethnic violence. The model rests on the assumption that spatial group clusters of a certain critical size are most likely to display ethnic violence. Their model achieves a remarkable level of agreement between predicted and observed locations of violence. Our article scrutinizes this exercise. We show that their analysis suffers from a biased selection of groups and regions, and that the null hypothesis and unit of analysis are inadequate. The proclaimed usefulness of the model for predicting violence in new cases is made difficult by the fact that the model does not generalize from one case to another. We conclude that the model provides little advance on prior research.
Some Reflections on the State Taxation of a Nonresident's Personal Income

THE doctrinal ferment that permeated the constitutional law of state taxation in the 1930's1 evoked an impressive outpouring of scholarly commentary.2 Detailed consideration was given to questions of situs, domicile, and jurisdiction to tax;3 to distinctions between subject, rate, and measure;4 and to the nature of tangibles, intangibles, and income.5 Judicial opinions were dissected,6 legal fictions were discredited,7 and ameliorative proposals, theoretical and practical, were advanced.8 The Supreme Court signaled the end to much of this conceptual unrest and commentary by resolving many of the issues in definitive,9 if somewhat inequitable,l0 terms. With
Partition min-hash for partial duplicate image discovery

In this paper, we propose Partition min-Hash (PmH), a novel hashing scheme for discovering partial duplicate images from a large database. Unlike the standard min-Hash algorithm that assumes a bag of words image representation, our approach utilizes the fact that duplicate regions among images are often localized. By theoretical analysis, simulation, and empirical study, we show that PmH outperforms standard min-Hash in terms of precision and recall, while being orders of magnitude faster. When combined with the start-of-the-art Geometric min-Hash algorithm, our approach speeds up hashing by 10 times without losing precision or recall. When given a fixed time budget, our method achieves much higher recall than the state-of-the-art.
A Three-Factor Cancer-Related Mental Condition Model and Its Relationship With Cancer Information Use, Cancer Information Avoidance, and Screening Intention.

Cancer-related affect and cognition, such as cancer fear, cancer worry, and cancer risk perception, are important predictors of cancer prevention and communication behaviors. However, they have not been clearly conceptualized in cancer communication literature, and in particular, the role of affect (i.e., cancer fear) in cancer prevention and communication has not been fully investigated. The present study developed a 3-factor cancer-related mental condition model encompassing affective (cancer fear), cognitive (cancer risk perception), and affective-cognitive (cancer worry) conditions. Two studies were conducted. Study 1 developed the model with Sample 1 (U.S. undergraduates, N = 309), and subsequently validated the model with Sample 2 (Korean general population, ages 40 years or older, N = 1,130). Study 2, using Sample 2, tested the model's relationship with cancer information use, cancer information avoidance, and screening intention. While Sample 1 participants were asked about cancer in general, Samp...
Prostatitis: Prevalence, Classification and Treatment

A review of the prevalence, classification, and treatment of four types of prostatitis and the current clinical standards for treating them. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Identification and molecular genetic characterization of a sensor kinase responsible for coordinately regulating light harvesting and reaction center gene expression in response to anaerobiosis.

Abstract Our laboratory recently demonstrated that anaerobic induction of light harvesting and reaction center structural gene expression involved a trans-acting factor, RegA, which exhibits sequence similarity to the class of prokaryotic sensory transduction proteins known as response regulators (M. W. Sganga and C. E. Bauer, Cell 68:945-954, 1992). In this study, we performed a screen for additional genes involved in inducing anaerobic expression of light harvesting and reaction center structural genes. This search resulted in the isolation of four strains that were shown by complementation and marker rescue analysis to harbor mutations allelic to the originally described regA mutation and one strain with a mutation found to be linked but nonallelic to regA. Sequence analysis indicated that this additional gene, regB, codes for a polypeptide that exhibits sequence similarity to the prokaryotic family of histidine sensor kinases. Analysis of photosynthesis gene expression in regB mutants indicates that the disruption of regB results in a phenotype that is very similar to that described for regA mutants, namely, a failure to trans activate anaerobic expression of the puf, puh, and puc operons. In analogy to other prokaryotic sensory transduction systems, we propose that RegB functions as a membrane-spanning sensor kinase that controls the anaerobic phosphorylation state of RegA, which in turn controls the induction of light harvesting and reaction center structural genes.
A modification of standard percutaneous nephrolithotripsy technique for the morbidly obese patient

Abstract Objectives Urolithiasis in the morbidly obese patient presents several unique challenges to the urologist, and its treatment often requires creativity and innovation. We present a new modification of standard percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PNL) technique, which is very helpful in overcoming some of the problems that are encountered when performing PNL in this group of patients. Methods We present 5 patients in whom this new technique has been used. Each had either failed prior extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) therapy or their size and abdominal girth precluded use of ESWL technology. All 5 patients underwent PNL. The radiographically measured skin-to-stone distances (determined by computed tomography or ultrasonography or both) exceeded the lengths of the standard percutaneous access sheaths and the 26 F rigid nephroscope. Thus larger and longer Amplatz access sheaths and a 30 F gynecologic laparoscope were used to reach the stones. Standard ultrasonic lithotripsy was then performed, and extralong bronchoscopic grasping forceps were used to remove stone fragments. Results All 5 patients were rendered stone-free using this technique. There was no significant perioperative morbidity. Conclusions For this very challenging group of patients, the use of larger and longer access sheaths and the gynecologic laparoscope have been very effective additions to the urologists' armamentarium in the treatment of urolithiasis.
Political Obstacles to Reform and Innovation in Soviet Economic Policy Brezhnev's Political Legacy

Soviet economic policy under Brezhnev presents a puzzling pattern of abortive reforms and contradictory approaches. The authors find that the political arrangements and decision-making procedures Brezhnev and his Politburo colleagues set up were major causes of Soviet failures to reform economic policy. The authors' data, derived from a content-analysis study of Politburo members' public statements, suggest that Politburo decisions on economic policy were made through a collective and consensual process, which did not resolve conflict but merely smoothed it over. The process allowed important individuals or minorities to have their views endorsed in official decisions, but in many cases there was very little commitment behind these decisions because they did not represent the views of a majority or the General Secretary. Lack of commitment at the top gave implementing agencies wide lattitude to dilute, delay, or even block fulfillment of those decisions.
Acquisition, Representation, and Validation of Subjective Knowledge

: This paper concentrates on the three main stages of expert system development: knowledge acquisition, knowledge representation (which includes the treatment of uncertainties), and verification and validation. The findings of a survey of expert system applications in the construction management domain are reported. A model is presented that regulates the process of creating an expert system and that eliminates the shortcomings of existing techniques used with knowledge of subjective nature. This model is based on the Delphi method, a tool used for collecting data and information to solve nonanalytical problems. It is proposed that the use of the Delphi method in the knowledge acquisition, knowledge representation, and validation stages of expert system development will improve user confidence in the final product.
Can Immunology Corroborate the Two-in-One-Flesh Image in Genesis?

Abstract The immune system distinguishes self from nonself permitting protection from invading microorganisms and cancer, but also causing rejection of foreign cells as in allogeneic organ transplantation. However, in sexual reproduction, the man's sperm are not rejected by the woman's immune system. This is based on the presence of a mild immunosuppressant in the seminal fluid, making possible the "two-in-one-flesh" intimacy that results in procreation. The biological consequences of natural sexual intercourse are completely distinct from the unnatural act of anal intercourse, as occurs in homosexual unions. The capacity of spermatozoa to penetrate into the nuclei of cells, coupled with the immunosuppressant in seminal fluid, greatly increases the risk of development of anal cancer. Science, which is immune to political or fashionable trends, thus bears witness to the unique nature of the conjugal bond between a man and a woman.
Partner Drugs: A New Outlook for Bacterial Meningitis

Excerpt Surprisingly, the morbidity and mortality rates from bacterial meningitis have remained stable since the advent of antibiotics in the 1930s. A persistent mortality rate of 30% for pneumococ...
The view of Islam from the monasteries of Palestine in the early cAbbasid period: Theodore Abū Qurrah and the Summa theologiae arabica

Abstract Christians in the Holy Land, and particularly members of the monastic communities in the Judean desert, were the first to compose original works of theology in Arabic. These writers presented the doctrines of the church in an idiom which was calculated to appeal to the understanding of any speaker of Arabic who was familiar with the Qur'an and with the thought of the early Muslim mutakallimin. From these texts there emerges a view of Islam which makes it dear that the writers very much consider themselves to be doing theology in dialogue. The article discusses the earliest Christian apology in Arabic; two works of Theodore Abu Qurrah; an early Summa Theologiae Arabica; and an essay in apologetics, provocatively entitled Kitab al‐burhan.
Mechanism of turbulent mass transfer at a solid boundary

Mass transfer between a turbulent fluid and a solid boundary is considered for the case of large Schmidt numbers. The variation of the mass transfer coefficient with time, K(t), is calculated by solving the mass balance equation using a random velocity input. An interpretation of the mass transfer process which is radically different from that given by classical approaches is obtained.
Probing the active center gorge of acetylcholinesterase by fluorophores linked to substituted cysteines.

To examine the influence of individual side chains in governing rates of ligand entry into the active center gorge of acetylcholinesterase and to characterize the dynamics and immediate environment of these residues, we have conjugated reactive groups with selected charge and fluorescence characteristics to cysteines substituted by mutagenesis at specific positions on the enzyme. Insertion of side chains larger than in the native tyrosine at position 124 near the constriction point of the active site gorge confers steric hindrance to affect maximum catalytic throughput (k cat/K m) and rates of diffusional entry of trifluoroketones to the active center. Smaller groups appear not to present steric constraints to entry; however, cationic side chains selectively and markedly reduce cation ligand entry through electrostatic repulsion in the gorge. The influence of side chain modification on ligand kinetics has been correlated with spectroscopic characteristics of fluorescent side chains and their capacity to influence the binding of a peptide, fasciculin, which inhibits catalysis peripherally by sealing the mouth of the gorge. Acrylodan conjugated to cysteine was substituted for tyrosine at position 124 within the gorge, for histidine 287 on the surface adjacent to the gorge and for alanine 262 on a mobile loop distal to the gorge. The 124 position reveals the most hydrophobic environment and the largest hypsochromic shift of the emission maximum with fasciculin binding. This finding likely reflects a sandwiching of the acrylodan in the complex with the tip of fasciculin loop II. An intermediate spectral shift is found for the 287 position, consistent with partial occlusion by loops II and III of fasciculin in the complex. Spectroscopic properties of the acrylodan at the 262 position are unaltered by fasciculin addition. Hence, combined spectroscopic and kinetic analyses reveal distinguishing characteristics in various regions of acetylcholinesterase that influence ligand association.
An experimental/analytical approach to study formability using a punch test

This study was carried out to upgrade tedious methods of obtaining strain distribution in punch stretching to a computerized, noninterrupted and fast testing system using optical sensing of deformation in previously imposed grid lines. An analytical model to compute the strain distribution and to relate it to the die load was also developed. Experimental and analytical studies were used to predict failure of products by determining critical values of strains of aluminum alloy and mild steel.
Empirical Dependence of the Eddy Coefficient for Heat upon Stability Above the Lowest 50 m

Abstract A rather general formulation is utilized for the stability dependence of the eddy coefficient for heat KH above the lowest 50 m. It contains five empirical parameters which pertain to the magnitude of KH in neutral conditions, its variation with increasing stability, its variation with increasing instability, the extent of a slightly countergradient upward heat flux, and the height variation of KH in stable air above hilly terrain or above a cloud-capped inversion base. The five parameters were evaluated or checked against observations of the thermal modification of polar air moving from New England towards Bermuda, and of the diurnal temperature wave at O'Neill, Nebr. A detailed study of the effects of variation of any of the parameters upon the resultant potential temperature profile is included, as is also the effects of different rates of long-wave radiation, of different cloudiness, and of different large-scale subsidence than those assumed. The empirically obtained formulation for KH giving...
Asymmetric Positive-Negative Index Nonlinear Waveguide Couplers

We discuss wave propagation in asymmetric couplers consisting of positive and negative index channels with different nonlinear coefficients. We find the dispersion relations, constants of motion and various regimes of wave interactions in such structures.
Designing a priority driven multi-frame rate flight executive

The Advanced Transport Operating System (ATOPS) project is a NASA operational research flight project which is concerned with upgrading the new generation of flight computers. In connection with this work, it becomes also necessary to reassess the adequacy of the flight executive and flight software. In the present discussion, attention is given to the ATOPS project upgrade, the operating flight system, the design criteria for the new flight executive, the implementation of the executive, a sample real-time execution, a real-time debug and test tool, and several experiences which could be useful to others considering a similar exercise.
Structure of Plasmodium falciparum dihydroorotate dehydrogenase with a bound inhibitor.

Membrane-associated dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is an antimalarial therapeutic target without an effective inhibitor. Studies on human DHODH (HsDHODH) led to a structural mechanistic model in which respiratory quinones bind in a tunnel formed by the highly variable N-­terminus that leads to the flavin mononucleotide-binding site. The therapeutic agents leflunomide (Arava) and brequinar sodium inhibit HsDHODH by binding in this tunnel. Plasmodium falciparum DHODH (PfDHODH) and HsDHODH have markedly different sensitivities to the two drugs. To understand the structural basis of this differential sensitivity and begin a structure-based drug-design cycle for PfDHODH inhibitors, the three-dimensional structure (2.4 A, R = 20.1%) of PfDHODH bound to the active metabolite of leflunomide was determined by X-ray crystallography. Comparison of the structures of HsDHODH and PfDHODH reveals a completely different binding mode for the same inhibitor in these two catalytically identical enzymes and explains the previously observed species-specific preferential binding. Because no effective inhibitors have been described for PfDHODH, this structure provides critical insight for the design of potential antimalarials.
Natural convection between concentric spheres

A finite-difference solution for steady natural convective flow in a concentric spherical annulus with isothermal walls has been obtained. The stream function-vorticity formulation of the equations of motion for the unsteady axisymmetric flow is used; interest lying in the final steady solution. Forward differences are used for the time derivatives and second-order central differences for the space derivatives. The alternating direction implicit method is used for solution of the discretization equations. Local one-dimensional grid adaptation is used to resolve the steep gradients in some regions of the flow at large Rayleigh numbers. The break-up into multi-cellular flow is found at high Rayleigh numbers for air and water, and at significantly low Rayleigh numbers for liquid metals. Excellent agreement with previous experimental and numerical data is obtained.
The Number Served in a Queue

A single-server queue with Poisson arrivals and exponential service is studied to obtain the joint probability distribution of the number in the system at time t and the cumulative number already served at time t. The probability that k are served in time t is then determined.
Henoch–Schonlein purpura

Summary This review summarises the evidence from the latest published research on the epidemiology, aetiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, treatment, and prognosis of Henoch–Schonlein purpura (HSP). Analysis of the literature indicates the importance of genetic and infectious aetiologic considerations in the development of HSP. And, within the last year, multiple inflammatory markers have been studied in association with the disease. Although, the common complaints associated with HSP are well known, the disease can also be associated with sequalae in multiple organ systems, as well as vasculitis throughout the body. No consensus has yet been agreed upon regarding treatment methodology of disease complications, but prognostic studies have determined that 6 months is appropriate in which to follow-up children to monitor for renal complications. Recent literature indicates the continued interest in defining the aetiology, complete clinical manifestations, treatment options and prognostic markers of HSP and the complications from the disease.
Precapacitive processes in single potential-step chronoamperometry

Abstract Extremely short-lived anodic currents were observed in the early parts of the transient response following the application of a cathodic potential step to a mercury working electrode. It is proposed that this phenomenon is due to the existence of a brief precapacitive period, which precedes full development of the double-layer charging current, and which allows momentary reaction (reduction) of species present at the electrode surface. The observed anodic currents are explained in terms of a re-oxidation of such “resident” species that were reduced during this precapacitive period. The subsequent capacitive surge produced by the charging of the electrical double layer leads to an anodic shift of the electrode potential that can be sufficient for the re-oxidation of the precapacitive amalgam. The anodic peak is linearly related to depolarizer concentration and varies with supporting electrolyte concentration, ion mobility and potential step size. Cathodic preconcentration of the depolarizer enhances the effect.
What is the definition of "conversion" in laparoscopic colorectal surgery?

Background A web-based survey was conducted among colorectal surgeons who represented members of both SAGES and ASCRS to find out how they define conversion for laparoscopic colorectal surgery.
Specific up-regulation of GADD153/CHOP in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium-treated SH-SY5Y cells

Growth arrest DNA damage-inducible 153 (GADD153) expression was increased in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium (MPP(+))-treated human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells as determined by gene microarray analysis. GADD153 expression increased after 24 hr of MPP(+) (1 mM) exposure and preceded activation of caspase 3. Comparison of GADD153 expression among cultures treated with other toxins whose primary mode of action is either via mitochondrial impairment (rotenone) or via oxidative stress (6-hydroxydopamine or hydrogen peroxide) showed that GADD153 was uniquely up-regulated by MPP(+). Together these data suggest that a cellular mechanism distinct from mitochondrial impairment or oxidative stress contributes significantly to the up-regulation of GADD153 by MPP(+) and that GADD153 may function as an inducer of apoptosis following MPP(+) exposure. Published 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Growth of long cobalt whiskers by chemical reduction of cobaltous bromide

Abstract New techniques for monitoring and controlling the growth of whiskers during chemical reduction have made it possible to increase the available lengths of cobalt whiskers to nearly five times that previously reported in the literature. These whiskers have been grown using several modifications of the conventional procedures. The crucial modification is the withholding of hydrogen until the cobaltous bromide approaches its melting point.
Automatic Extraction of Conceptual Maps From Design Team Documents

Most engineering project classes expect teams of students to collaborate and to build on existing knowledge to accomplish their project goals. As the project evolves, the team is expected to develop a shared understanding. However, students often become overwhelmed by the amount of information available and lose sight of the big picture. Instructors may also find it difficult to keep track of individual and team activities and are often forced to evaluate the product instead of the learning process. This paper presents preliminary results from a tool that supports effective knowledge management for engineering design projects. This framework, called DesignWebs, automatically extracts conceptual maps from the team’s evolving set of documents and discussions about an engineering artifact. It uses Latent Dirichlet Allocation, hierarchical clustering, and other machine learning techniques to generate a navigable web-based graph. Both instructors and students can browse this graph interactively to explore the concepts embedded inside design team documents and the connections between them. An experiment performed on documents obtained from a project course shows the effectiveness of DesignWebs in synthesizing the design knowledge from multiple sources of information in engineering project teams.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Personal Control, Self-Efficacy in Sexual Negotiation, and Contraceptive Risk among Adolescents: The Role of Gender

Adolescents’ sexual decision making is shaped by normative ideas about “appropriate” sexual roles for women and men; consequently, the motivation and ability to engage in safer sex may be different for adolescent girls and boys. The aim of this study was to explore how social–psychological resources influence the behavior of girls and boys within the highly gendered and inequitable domain of sexual relationships. I used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to examine whether personal control and self-efficacy in sexual negotiation are associated with contraceptive risk (engaging in sexual intercourse or not using condoms) among adolescents and whether these associations differ for adolescent boys and girls. Results indicate that personal control and self-efficacy in sexual negotiation are significantly associated with safer sex behavior, and are often more important for girls than for boys in predicting contraceptive risk.
Generalized low-density parity-check codes for long-haul high-speed optical communications

In this paper, the BER performance of GLDPC codes, outperforming currently known turbo and LDPC coding schemes utilized in optical communication systems, is analyzed. The largest so far reported coding gain of at least 11 dB (at 40 Gb/s with 23.6% of redundancy) is demonstrated.
Exploring new insights into retail history

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to synthesize the papers written for this special issue, to suggest some themes and problems emerging from recent retail history, and to bring together work from a variety of subfields.Design/methodology/approach – The essay surveys recent themes in retail history, using the contents of the special issue as a point of departure. It relies on secondary sources.Findings – The articles in this issue highlight the importance of power relations and more formal political economy and government policy to retail firms. They also emphasize the importance of nearby institutions and populations to retailers. Taken as a whole, the pieces speak to recent interest among business historians in the social contexts and contingencies that shape firms and also in the history of failure, draw their attention to the importance of “the local” in business generally, and point to the possibilities of more work on very small firms, early American and non‐US (or globally framed US) retail and...
Trisphenalenyl-Based Neutral Radical Molecular Conductor

We report the preparation, crystallization, and solid-state characterization of the first member of a new family of tris(1,9-disubstituted phenalenyl)silicon neutral radicals. In the solid state, the radical packs as weak partial π-dimers with intermolecular carbon···carbon contacts that fall at the van der Waals atomic separation. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate ∼0.7 Curie spins per molecule from room temperature down to 50 K, below which antiferromagnetic coupling becomes apparent; the compound has a room-temperature single-crystal conductivity of σRT = 2.4 × 10-6 S cm-1.
THE DIATOM GENUS ORTHOSEIRA: ULTRASTRUCTURE AND MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATION IN TWO SPECIES FROM MADAGASCAR WITH COMMENTS ON NOMENCLATURE IN THE GENUS

A collection of aerophilous diatoms from northern Madagascar was found to contain two taxa assignable to the modern concept of Orthoseira (but not in the sense of Thwaites). The morphological variability of the valve and cingulum of these two taxa is described and compared. The degree of valve silicification influences spine form and structure, and if such variation is prevalent in other taxa within “Orthoseira”, the use of spine morphology to delimit taxa is questionable. Further, a great deal of confusion exists concerning the nomenclatural status of the genus and its species. Associated with nomenclatural issues, species boundaries within Orthoseira are unclear. Plasticity in morphological features, including degree of silicification, make species identification difficult. The degree of confusion and uncertainty that remain for most of the widely reported species indicate that Orthoseira is in great need of revision.
Are reconstructed self‐reports of drinking reliable?

When follow-up interviews are missed, researchers sometimes try to reconstruct the data that would have been obtained by asking clients to recall the missed interval when they are interviewed at a later point. Are such data reliable? The reliability of remote reconstruction was estimated by asking 57 participants in a clinical trial to recall their drinking for the 12-month follow-up interval when interviewed, on average, 33 weeks later. These reports were obtained after delays averaging 231 days. These reconstructed reports were compared with the same clients' self-reports obtained during the 12-month interview. Reconstructed data were found to be reasonably accurate estimates of clients' reports at the time of original interview on global alcohol use variables including percentage of drinking days and total volume of consumption. No systematic bias was found for over-reporting or under-reporting at the point of reconstruction. However, on some variables (e.g. total drinks consumed), clients on average reported more drinking at the reconstruction period than during the initial interview. Discrepancies between initial and reconstructed reports were found to be unrelated to the length of delay in the second interview or to client characteristics.
Effects of defect and pressure on the thermal expansivity of Fe x O

Pressure–volume–temperature measurements have been carried out using synchrotron X-ray diffraction for wustite at static pressures of 1.9, 2.6, and 5.4 GPa. Our results revealed that the composition change of wustite and, hence, rearrangements of defect structures are primarily caused by the magnetite (Fe3O4) exsolution at temperatures of 523–723 K. Based on the isobaric volume–temperature data collected during cooling, the contribution of compositional variations to the unit-cell volumes of wustite in the ranges of 300–673 K and 723–1073 K is negligibly small, within the experimental uncertainties. These observations suggest that the measured volume changes in the range of 300–673 K and 723–1,073 K can be attributed to the metal–oxygen bond expansion. Owing to the magnetite exsolution, thermal expansion data are obtained in each experiment at 1.9, 2.6, and 5.4 GPa for wustite of two different compositions, Fe0.987O and Fe0.942O. At all three pressures, Fe0.942O shows a thermal expansion that is about 30% larger than Fe0.987O. Such findings represent the first experimental evidence of a substantial effect of nonstoichiometry on thermal expansivity, and based on previous thermodynamic calculations of the defect formation and interaction, this effect is likely associated with the distinct defects arrangements in iron-rich and more iron-deficient wustite. This study also presents thermal equations of state for wustite of two different compositions. Such volume-related properties at high temperatures are experimentally difficult to obtain in wustite but important for thermodynamic studies in the binary Fe–O system.
Sex differences in the influence of social context, salient social stimulation and amphetamine on ultrasonic vocalizations in prairie voles

Prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) are a socially monogamous rodent species and their cooperative behaviors require extensive communication between conspecifics. Rodents use ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) to communicate and because a prairie vole breeder pair must engage in extensive cooperation for successful reproduction, auditory communication may be critical for this species. Therefore, we sought to characterize USVs in adult male and female prairie voles, and to determine how these calls are influenced by social context, salient social stimuli and the psychostimulant drug of abuse amphetamine (AMPH). Here, we characterize prairie vole USVs by showing the range of frequencies of prairie vole USVs, the proportion of various call types, how these call types compare between males and females, and how they are influenced by social stimulation and AMPH. AMPH caused a robust increase in the number of USVs in both males and females and there was a dramatic sex difference in the complexity of call structures of AMPH-induced USVs, with males emitting more elaborate calls. Moreover, we show that novel (i.e. salient) social cues evoked differential increases in USVs across sex, with males showing a much more robust increase in USV production, both with respect to the frequency and complexity of USV production. Exposure to an estrous female in particular caused an extraordinary increase in USVs in male subjects. These data suggest that USVs may be a useful measure of social motivation in this species, including how social behaviors can be impacted by drugs of abuse.
Whole-Rock Rb-Sr Age of the Yonkers Gneiss, Manhattan Prong

The intimately associated Yonkers and Fordham Gneisses are the oldest formations in the Manhattan Prong. A whole-rock Rb-Sr isochron determined from the Yonkers Gneiss corresponds to an age of 575 ± 30 m.y., and initial Sr 87 /Sr 86 = 0.725 ± 0.008. The Manhattan Prong rocks are thus distinctly younger than the adjacent Hudson Highland gneisses. The Fordham and Yonkers Gneisses were involved in major tectonism around 575 m.y. ago, but the nature of the event is obscured by more recent Paleozoic deformation and metamorphism.
A Theoretical Study of the Collision Efficiency of Small Planar Ice Crystals Colliding with Large Supercooled Water Drops

Abstract The collision efficiency between plate-like ice crystals and supercooled drops is computed using a modified version of the trajectory model developed by Lew and Pruppacher. It is found that whereas the collision efficiencies are largely independent of drop size within the range 5.3 × 10−4 −7.6 × 10−4 m (530–760 μm) radius, they are a sensitive function of the ice crystal diameter, within the size range 1 × 10−5 −4 × 10−5 m (10–40 μm), and also depend on the orientation of the crystal as it encounters the drop. Collision efficiencies for larger crystals are greater than 0.8, and show essentially no orientational dependence. It appears that the mass of the ice crystal plate is the dominant factor affecting the collision efficiency.
Use of the test scoring machine and the graphic item counter for statistical work

The graphic item-counter is described and its use as a statistical device is explained. Procedures are presented for obtaining Pearson product-moment correlations by means of the graphic item-counter.
Workplace Aggression: Toward Social Justice and Advocacy in Counseling for Transgender Individuals

Transgender individuals face various degrees of aggression, hostility, and discrimination in the workplace, including social isolations, physical threats, demotions, and terminations of employment. Professional counselors can serve as social change agents by developing specific sets of knowledge, attitudes, and skills to help this population. This article describes various forms of explicit and implicit workplace discrimination against transgender individuals. The roles of counselors in social justice and advocacy, adapted from the World Professional Association of Transgender Health Standards of Care and the Competencies for Counseling with Transgender Clients, are presented and discussed.
Partial purification and characterization of the endotoxin from Aspergillus fumigatus.

The endotoxin fromAspergillus fumigatus was studied and appears to be protein in character. Attempts to purify the material by fractional precipitation with acetone resulted in increase of hemolytic and toxic potencies. The hemolytic activity of the toxin is stable from pH 3.6 to 8.4.