cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Urban growth and water

We adapt the neoclassical growth model to examine the problem of water provision in an urban economy. Our model delivers testable hypotheses regarding the effect of a change in public provision of water, population growth, and total water availability on per capita economic growth. Increases in population growth and public water supply enhance per capita economic growth, but an increase in water availability lowers per capita economic growth along the trajectory towards the steady state. The results of the economic model are tested empirically by using a panel data set of urban counties in the U.S. We find that Ceteris paribus higher water use and population growth are associated with greater per capita economic growth in urban areas, but urban areas with higher total water availability are not experiencing lower per capita economic growth, as the model predicts.
On the use of two-stage cluster samples in epidemiological population studies

This paper discusses the need to account for the sampling scheme in an analysis of epidemiological population data which were collected by a two-stage cluster sample. An example is presented where for validity reasons one should generally account for the sampling scheme, though a rule-of-thumb is given to estimate the effect of not doing so. The example concerns one of the centers (Augsburg, F. R. G.) participating in the WHO MONICA Project, which was designed to study the relationship between changes in risk factor levels, as measured by several surveys in each center, and changes in cardiovascular incidence rates, as measured by a registry system for each center. Variance estimation methods which either account for or ignore the sampling scheme are compared for a particular sampling scheme. Easily computable upper bounds on the effect on variances of ignoring the sampling scheme are presented, both over all possible variables, and for a particular variable.
Identification of structured peptide segments in folding proteins

Prediction of the structures of long polypeptides and small proteins has been carried out using conformational energy calculations. These calculations can be applied to large proteins if structured regions of their sequences can be identified. Three different approaches to identifying such sequences are presented. First, sequences of five or more contiguous hydrophobic residues tend to nucleate alpha-helices. Second, peptide sequences from parent proteins that have the same biological activities as the parent proteins are highly structured. Third, structured synthetic peptide segments from proteins inhibit the folding of the parent proteins by competing with the corresponding segment of the protein chain for associating with complementary regions. Examples of each of these approaches are presented.
Long-term threats to secure archives

Archival storage systems are designed for a write-once, read-maybe usage model which places an emphasis on the long-term preservation of their data contents. In contrast to traditional storage systems in which data lifetimes are measured in months or possibly years, data lifetimes in an archival system are measured in decades. Secure archival storage has the added goal of providing controlled access to its long-term contents. In contrast, public archival systems aim to ensure that their contents are available to anyone.Since secure archival storage systems must store data over much longer periods of time, new threats emerge that affect the security landscape in many novel, subtle ways. These security threats endanger the secrecy, availability and integrity of the archival storage contents. Adequate understanding of these threats is essential to effectively devise new policies and mechanisms to guard against them. We discuss many of these threats in this new context to fill this gap, and show how existing systems meet (or fail to meet) these threats.
Short, Discontinuous Exposure to Butyrate Effectively Sensitizes Latently EBV-Infected Lymphoma Cells to Nucleoside Analogue Antiviral Agents

Antiviral drugs alone have been unsuccessful in the treatment of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated malignancies because the virus maintains a latent state of replication in these tumors. In recent years, novel therapeutic approaches are being investigated wherein lytic replication of the virus is induced prior to the use of cytotoxic antiviral drugs. The choice of suitable agents to induce lytic replication has been a critical step in this novel approach. We have previously demonstrated that butyrate derivatives induce a lytic pattern of EBV gene expression in patient-derived EBV-positive lymphoblastoid cell lines and, together with nucleoside analogue ganciclovir, effectively reduce or eliminate tumor growth in humans. Butyrate has drawbacks as a therapeutic agent, however, as constant intravenous infusion is required to achieve detectable plasma levels of this drug. In this study, we investigated whether discontinuous exposure to butyrate is capable of initiating lytic phase gene expression and thymidine kinase induction, and sensitizing EBV-positive lymphoma cells to ganciclovir-mediated cell growth arrest and apoptosis. We demonstrate that multiple daily 6-h exposures of the EBV-positive Burkitt's lymphoma cell line P3HR1 to butyrate induced sustained expression of the EBV lytic phase protein BMRF. Viral thymidine kinase was also induced by intermittent exposure, although to a lower level than with continuous exposure treatment. However, discontinuous exposure to butyrate in combination with ganciclovir induced a similar level of tumor cell growth inhibition as did continuous treatment, as measured by serial enumeration of viable cells, MTT cell proliferation assays and measurement of cellular DNA content. We further demonstrated that those cells which survived initial exposure to butyrate plus ganciclovir remained susceptible to further cycles of combination treatment. These findings suggests that continuous infusion of butyrate may not be necessary for maintaining viral thymidine kinase gene expression and sensitization to antiviral agents in EBV-associated tumors, and that therapeutic regimens which employ more convenient, discontinuous exposure to butyrate may also be effective clinically.
A modular method to handle multiple time-dependent quantities in Monte Carlo simulations

A general method for handling time-dependent quantities in Monte Carlo simulations was developed to make such simulations more accessible to the medical community for a wide range of applications in radiotherapy, including fluence and dose calculation. To describe time-dependent changes in the most general way, we developed a grammar of functions that we call 'Time Features'. When a simulation quantity, such as the position of a geometrical object, an angle, a magnetic field, a current, etc, takes its value from a Time Feature, that quantity varies over time. The operation of time-dependent simulation was separated into distinct parts: the Sequence samples time values either sequentially at equal increments or randomly from a uniform distribution (allowing quantities to vary continuously in time), and then each time-dependent quantity is calculated according to its Time Feature. Due to this modular structure, time-dependent simulations, even in the presence of multiple time-dependent quantities, can be efficiently performed in a single simulation with any given time resolution. This approach has been implemented in TOPAS (TOol for PArticle Simulation), designed to make Monte Carlo simulations with Geant4 more accessible to both clinical and research physicists. To demonstrate the method, three clinical situations were simulated: a variable water column used to verify constancy of the Bragg peak of the Crocker Lab eye treatment facility of the University of California, the double-scattering treatment mode of the passive beam scattering system at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), where a spinning range modulator wheel accompanied by beam current modulation produces a spread-out Bragg peak, and the scanning mode at MGH, where time-dependent pulse shape, energy distribution and magnetic fields control Bragg peak positions. Results confirm the clinical applicability of the method.
A survey of progress reported in 1956 and 1957 in telemetry and remote control

Progress in the fields of telemetry and remote control reported during 1956 and 1957 is summarized under the headings: data processing, data storage, digital transmission equipment, millivolt telemeter equipment, multiplexing methods and equipment, radio transmission and systems, remote control, theory and analysis, transducers, and transistorized telemeter equipment.
Help or Hindrance? How Family and Friends Influence Chronic Illness Self-Management among Older Adults

We contribute to knowledge about older adults with chronic illnesses by identifying positive and negative influences of family and friends on self-management. Thirteen focus groups were conducted i...
The effects of gene flow and population isolation on the genetic structure of␣reintroduced wild turkey populations: Are genetic signatures of source populations retained?

To counter losses of genetic diversity in reintroduced populations, species sometimes are reintroduced into networks of populations with the potential to exchange individuals. In reintroduced populations connected by gene flow, patterns of genetic structure initiated by the founding event may become obscured, and populations may eventually follow an isolation-by-distance model of genetic differentiation. Taking advantage of well-documented reintroduction histories of wild turkey populations in Indiana, we assessed the degree to which gene flow among reintroduced populations has obscured genetic signatures left by the founding events. Using a suite of nuclear microsatellite loci and sequence data from the mitochondrial control region, we characterized the level of genetic diversity and degree of genetic structure within and among: (1) reintroduced populations in isolated northern Indiana Fish and Wildlife Areas, (2) reintroduced populations in southern Indiana Fish and Wildlife Areas, where the distribution of populations is more continuous, and (3) source populations used for these reintroductions. We also utilized individual-based assignment tests to determine the relative contribution of source populations to the current distribution of alleles in reintroduced populations. Our results indicate that wild turkey reintroductions in Indiana have left distinct genetic signatures on populations that are detectable even after several decades. Although we found some case-specific evidence for gene flow, particularly in regions where populations are in close proximity, our data indicate on overall paucity of gene flow at a regional scale. Such post-reintroduction genetic monitoring has immediate implications for the design of optimal strategies to reintroduce wildlife for conservation and management.
Hot-Spot Avoidance With Multi-Pathing Over InfiniBand: An MPI Perspective

Large scale InfiniBand clusters are becoming increasingly popular, as reflected by the TOP 500 supercomputer rankings. At the same time, fat tree has become a popular interconnection topology for these clusters, since it allows multiple paths to be available in between a pair of nodes. However, even with fat tree, hot-spots may occur in the network depending upon the route configuration between end nodes and communication pattern(s) in the application. To make matters worse, the deterministic routing nature of InfiniBand limits the application from effective use of multiple paths transparently and avoid the hot-spots in the network. Simulation based studies for switches and adapters to implement congestion control have been proposed in the literature. However, these studies have focussed on providing congestion control for the communication path, and not on utilizing multiple paths in the network for hot-spot avoidance. In this paper, we design an MPI functionality, which provides hot-spot avoidance for different communications, without a priori knowledge of the pattern. We leverage LMC (LID mask count) mechanism of InfiniBand to create multiple paths in the network and present the design issues (scheduling policies, selecting number of paths, scalability aspects) of our design. We implement our design and evaluate it with Pallas collective communication and MPI applications. On an InfiniBand cluster with 48 processes, MPI All-to-all personalized shows an improvement of 27%. Our evaluation with NAS parallel benchmarks on 64 processes shows significant improvement in execution time with this functionality.
Transcranial infrared laser stimulation produces beneficial cognitive and emotional effects in humans

This is the first controlled study demonstrating the beneficial effects of transcranial laser stimulation on cognitive and emotional functions in humans. Photobiomodulation with red to near-infrared light is a novel intervention shown to regulate neuronal function in cell cultures, animal models, and clinical conditions. Light that intersects with the absorption spectrum of cytochrome oxidase was applied to the forehead of healthy volunteers using the laser diode CG-5000, which maximizes tissue penetration and has been used in humans for other indications. We tested whether low-level laser stimulation produces beneficial effects on frontal cortex measures of attention, memory and mood. Reaction time in a sustained-attention psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) was significantly improved in the treated (n=20) vs. placebo control (n=20) groups, especially in high novelty-seeking subjects. Performance in a delayed match-to-sample (DMS) memory task showed also a significant improvement in treated vs. control groups as measured by memory retrieval latency and number of correct trials. The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS-X), which tracks self-reported positive and negative affective (emotional) states over time, was administered immediately before treatment and 2 weeks after treatment. The PANAS showed that while participants generally reported more positive affective states than negative, overall affect improved significantly in the treated group due to more sustained positive emotional states as compared to the placebo control group. These data imply that transcranial laser stimulation could be used as a non-invasive and efficacious approach to increase brain functions such as those related to cognitive and emotional dimensions. Transcranial infrared laser stimulation has also been proven to be safe and successful at improving neurological outcome in humans in controlled clinical trials of stroke. This innovative approach could lead to the development of non-invasive, performance-enhancing interventions in healthy humans and in those in need of neuropsychological rehabilitation.
Communication systems and social interactions in a goby-shrimp symbiosis

Abstract Interphyletic communication is quantitatively shown to occur in a behavioural, mutualistic symbiotic association between the goby Psilogobius mainlandi and two species of shrimps, Alpheus rapax and A. rapacida , by the use of information theory and χ 2 analyses. Communication between gobies and shrimps is primarily tactual. Gobies use as shelter burrows dug and maintained by shrimps. Gobies sit at the burrow entrance and warn shrimps of danger by a flick of the tail. Shrimps communicate their presence outside the burrow by touching gobies with their antennae. Gobies never give warning signals in the absence of shrimps. It is postulated that the spacing of the burrows in nature is a result of the complex interaction of three communication systems: tactual communication among shrimps and between gobies and shrimps and visual communication among gobies. It is suggested that the analysis techniques used here be applied to the analysis of other symbiotic associations.
Approaches for elbow arthroplasty: how to handle the triceps

The question of the best surgical approach for total elbow arthroplasty is a hot topicwith great interest at the current time. The issue has been highlighted in a recent review of complications of total elbow arthroplasty and has been studied in detail in the past. The problem of triceps insufficiency after total elbow arthroplasty has been specifically addressed by Celli et al, and potential solutions for addressing triceps insufficiency have been proposed by Sanchez-Sotelo and Morrey. As the awareness of triceps insufficiency has increased, surgeons have turned to alternative exposures. In so doing, many of the old or previously established approaches to the elbow have been rediscovered or modified. Orthopedic surgeons, especially those with an interest in elbow arthroplasty, recognized themanagement of the extensormechanism as a key element for the success of the procedure. The only relative absolute dictum in this regard is that osteotomy is not considered a viable option for joint replacement arthroplasty, except in selectedcases treatedwithhumeral hemiarthroplasty, or unexpected intraoperative conversion of fixation to arthroplasty in the treatment of distal humeral fractures.
The role of van der Waals forces in adhesion of micromachined surfaces

Interfacial adhesion and friction are important factors in determining the performance and reliability of microelectro- mechanical systems. We demonstrate that the adhesion of micromachined surfaces is in a regime not considered by standard rough surface adhesion models. At small roughness values, our experiments and models show unambiguously that the adhesion is mainly due to van der Waals dispersion forces acting across extensive non-contacting areas and that it is related to 1/Dave2, where Dave is the average surface separation. These contributions must be considered because of the close proximity of the surfaces, which is a result of the planar deposition technology. At large roughness values, van der Waals forces at contacting asperities become the dominating contributor to the adhesion. In this regime our model calculations converge with standard models in which the real contact area determines the adhesion. We further suggest that topographic correlations between the upper and lower surfaces must be considered to understand adhesion completely.
Advanced Signal Processing Techniques for Multi-Damage Detection With an Improved Embedded Ultrasonic Structural Radar Algorithm and Piezoelectric Wafer Active Sensors

The embedded ultrasonic structural radar (EUSR) algorithm was developed by using piezoelectric wafer active sensor (PWAS) array to detect defects within a large area of a thin-plate specimen. EUSR was verified to be effective for detecting a single crack either at a broadside or at an offside position. However, the damage location was not very precise. This algorithm is improved by using advanced signal processing techniques. The improvement includes: 1) EUSR is able to provide better image of the specimen under monitoring; 2) it is able to detect multiple defects such as several cracks; 3) it is also able to identify different damage types. This paper starts with an introduction of embedded ultrasonic structural radar algorithm. Then the application of using Hilbert transform for extracting the envelopes of the wave packages is discussed. This can eliminate or reduce the effect of side robes so that EUSR produces better images. The improvement of EUSR detectability is concluded through the comparison to the previous results, followed by the experiments to verify the multi-damage detection of EUSR. Finally, we present the results of how EUSR can distinguish different types of damage. This system is implemented by developing a graphical user-friendly interface program in LabView. We conclude with a description of our vision for an even more powerful EUSR for structural health monitoring and embedded nondestructive evaluation.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
High detectivity InGaAsSb pin infrared photodetector for blood glucose sensing

A molecular beam epitaxy grown GaInAsSb pin photodetector lattice matched to a GaSb substrate is reported. The mesa type detector has high responsivity in the 1.4 to 2.4 /spl mu/m wavelength range with -0.3 V bias, 40 /spl mu/A dark current for a 1 mm diameter detector and the highest detectivity D* of 2.6/spl times/10/sup 10/ cm/spl middot/Hz/sup 1/2//W reported for a GaInAsSb detector. The measured responsivity compares well with k/spl middot/p calculations.
Race, Power, and (In)equity Within Two-way Immersion Settings

Two-way immersion schools provide a promising model for service delivery to students who are English language learners. With the goals of bilingualism, academic excellence, and cross cultural appreciation, these schools are designed to build bridges across linguistically heterogeneous student bodies. Yet while empirical evidence demonstrates that the two-way immersion model can be effective in these regards, we know little about how such schools address other dimensions of diversity, including race, ethnicity, class, and disability. This study contributes to filling this gap by critically analyzing these dimensions in the areas of recruitment and retention in two two-way immersion schools.
Structural behavior of composite steel beams strengthened/repaired with carbon fi ber reinforced polymer plates

Of the approximately 600,000 bridges in the United States, more than 110,000 are either structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. Causes of deterioration are attributed to the age of the structure, steady increase in legal load limits, increase in traffic density, deterioration due to environmental attack, and the lack of proper maintenance. A large number of these bridges are constructed out of structural steel. One significant cause of deterioration in these structures is corrosion due to extensive use of de-icing salts in severe winter weather. These bridges either have to be replaced or strengthened to extend their service life. In most cases, strengthening of these structures is more cost effective than replacement. Among the popular strengthening methods used in the past on steel bridges are post-tensioning and the bonding of steel plates to the tension flange of the girders. However, these methods are labor intensive and disturbance to the traffic flow is inevitable. This investigation focused on the behavior of steel composite beams strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) plates attached to their tension side. In the experimental part of this study, a total of ten beams were tested under a four-point bending; six of the beams were in the undamaged state (two control beams and four strengthened), while the remaining four beams were damaged and repaired (one control beam and three repaired). Since this technique depends on the shear strength of the adhesive, extensive instrumentation was utilized to measure shear stresses along the CFRP plate in all load ranges (i.e. elastic and inelastic); this is something that was not emphasized in the previous research available. Another contribution of this work was the study of the effect of damage on the stiffness and strength of the section as well as the effect of repair schemes in restoring both the lost
Sharing the benefits of research fairly: two approaches

Research projects sponsored by rich countries or companies and carried out in developing countries are often described as exploitative. One important debate about the prevention of exploitation in research centres on whether and how clinical research in developing countries should be responsive to local health problems. This paper analyses the responsiveness debate and draws out more general lessons for how policy makers can prevent exploitation in various research contexts. There are two independent ways to do this in the face of entrenched power differences: to impose restrictions on the content of benefit-sharing arrangements, and to institute independent effective oversight. Which method should be chosen is highly dependent on context.
Podcasting computer science E-1

In recent months have teachers become publishers of content and students subscribers thereof by way of podcasts, feeds of audio, video, and other content that can be downloaded to clients like iTunes and devices like iPods. In the fall of 2005, we ourselves began to podcast Harvard Extension School's Computer Science E-1 in both audio and video formats, the first course within Harvard University to do so. Our goals were to provide students with more portable access to educational content and to involve them in technology itself.To evaluate this experiment, we have analyzed logs and surveys of students. We find that our students valued E-1's podcast more as a vehicle for review (45%) than as an alternative to attendance (18%). We also find that most students (71%) tended to listen to or watch lectures on their computers, with far fewer relying upon audio-only (19%) or video (10%) iPods. We argue, meanwhile, that podcasting, despite its widespread popularity, is but a marginal improvement on trends long in progress. It is this technology's reach that we claim is significant, not the technology itself. Logs suggest that E-1's own podcast, available not only to students but to the public at large, has acquired (as of September 2006) between 6,000 and 10,000 subscribers from over 50 countries. We argue, then, that podcasting offers to extend universities' educational reach more than it offers to improve education itself.
Estimation of population attributable fractions from fitted incidence ratios and exposure survey data, with an application to electromagnetic fields and childhood leukemia.

Standard presentations of epidemiological results focus on incidence-ratio estimates derived from regression models fit to specialized study data. These data are often highly nonrepresentative of populations for which public-health impacts must be evaluated. Basic methods are provided for interval estimation of attributable fractions from model-based incidence-ratio estimates combined with independent survey estimates of the exposure distribution in the target population of interest. These methods are illustrated in estimation of the potential impact of magnetic-field exposures on childhood leukemia in the United States, based on pooled data from 11 case-control studies and a U.S. sample survey of magnetic-field exposures.
Parametrization of all decoupling compensators and all achievable diagonal maps for the unity-feedback system

Decoupling in a linear, time-invariant (LTI), multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) unity-feedback system is considered. A parameterization is given of all stabilizing compensators which achieve decoupling in the unity-feedback system. It is assumed that the plant transfer-function, matrix is full row-rank and does not have unstable poles coinciding with zeros. >
Transmembrane electrical potential difference regulates Na+/HCO3- cotransport and intracellular pH in hepatocytes.

Abstract We have examined the hypothesis that a regulatory interplay between pH-regulated plasma membrane K+ conductance (gK+) and electrogenic Na+/HCO3- cotransport contributes importantly to regulation of intracellular pH (pHi) in hepatocytes. In individual cells, membrane depolarization produced by transient exposure to 50 mM K+ caused a reversible increase in pHi in the presence, but not absence, of HCO3-, consistent with voltage-dependent HCO3- influx. In the absence of HCO3-, intracellular alkalinization and acidification produced by NH4Cl exposure and withdrawal produced membrane hyperpolarization and depolarization, respectively, as expected for pHi-induced changes in gK+. By contrast, in the presence of HCO3-, NH4Cl exposure and withdrawal produced a decrease in apparent buffering capacity and changes in membrane potential difference consistent with compensatory regulation of electrogenic Na+/HCO3- cotransport. Moreover, the rate of pHi and potential difference recovery was several-fold greater in the presence as compared with the absence of HCO3-. Finally, continuous exposure to 10% CO2 in the presence of HCO3- produced intracellular acidification, and the rate of pHi recovery from intracellular acidosis was inhibited by Ba2+, which blocks pHi-induced changes in gK+, and by 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, which inhibits Na+/HCO3- cotransport. These findings suggest that in hepatocytes, changes in transmembrane electrical potential difference, mediated by pH-sensitive gK+, play a central role in regulation of pHi through effects on electrogenic Na+/HCO3- cotransport.
Risk factors for skin cancers: a nested case–control study within the Nurses’ Health Study

Methods We examined the associations of constitutional risk factors and sun exposure with the risks of three types of skin cancer simultaneously and evaluated the interaction between constitutional susceptibility and sun exposure in a nested case–control study within the Nurses’ Health Study [200 melanoma, 275 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and 283 basal cell carcinoma (BCC) cases, and 804 controls]. Information regarding skin cancer risk factors was obtained from the retrospective supplementary questionnaire. Results Constitutional susceptibility was an independent risk factor for all three types of skin cancer. Sunlamp usage or tanning salon attendance was a risk factor for melanoma after adjusting for potential confounding variables (OR for ever vs never usage, 2.06, 95% CI 1.30–3.26). Higher sun exposure while wearing a bathing suit was an independent risk factor for all three types of skin cancer. We observed a significant interaction between constitutional susceptibility and sun exposure while wearing a bathing suit on melanoma risk (P, interaction, 0.03); women with the highest susceptibility and highest exposure had an OR of 8.37 (95% CI 3.07–22.84). This interaction was weaker and non-significant for SCC and BCC. Conclusions These data largely confirm past studies on risk factors for skin cancer but provide evidence of difference on the strength of these risk factors for melanoma compared with SCC and BCC.
Effects of geometric nonlinearities on explicit time integrators

The effect of follower forces and initial stresses on the stability of the central difference method is studied. As a model, bar and beam elements are considered by means of the element eigenvalue inequality. It is shown that both follower-force pressure loads and tensile initial stresses decrease the stable timestep but the decrease becomes significant only when the pressure or stress is greater than about a tenth of the tangent modulus.
A predictor-corrector technique for visualizing unsteady flow

Presents a method for visualizing unsteady flow by displaying its vortices. The vortices are identified by using a vorticity-predictor pressure-corrector scheme that follows vortex cores. The cross-sections of a vortex at each point along the core can be represented by a Fourier series. A vortex can be faithfully reconstructed from the series as a simple quadrilateral mesh, or its reconstruction can be enhanced to indicate helical motion. The mesh can reduce the representation of the flow features by a factor of 1000 or more compared with the volumetric dataset. With this amount of reduction, it is possible to implement an interactive system on a graphics workstation to permit a viewer to examine, in 3D, the evolution of the vortical structures in a complex, unsteady flow. >
Not all school dropouts are the same: Ethnic differences in the relation between reason for leaving school and adolescent substance use

Several national studies have revealed that students choose to drop out of school for a variety of reasons. Moreover, there are ethnic differences in the reasons dropouts give for leaving school. In the present study, the relation between reason for dropping out and substance use was explored in Mexican American and non-Hispanic White adolescents. The results revealed that for Mexican American adolescents, substance use was highest among those who left school to be with their friends and lowest among those who left for family-related reasons. Among non-Hispanic White adolescents, there were no significant differences in substance use as a function of reason for leaving school. For both ethnicities, nearly one-third of the dropouts reported that their substance use was an important contributor to their decision to leave school early. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed. Recommendations are made for ways in which the reasons that dropouts give for leaving school can be used to inform school programs. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons.
Wavelet based estimation of the fractal dimension in fBm images

Fractional Brownian Motion (fBm) has been successfully exploited to model an important number of physical phenomena and non-stationary processes such as medical images. These mathematical models closely describe essential properties of natural phenomena, such as self-similarity, scale invariance and fractal dimension (FD). The use of wavelet analysis combined with fBm analysis may provide an interesting approach to compute key values for fBm processes, such as the fractal dimension FD. We propose two models to calculate the Hurst Coefficient H (and hence FD) for both one-dimensional and two-dimensional signals. The first approach is based on statistical properties of the signals, while the second one is based on their spectral characteristics. A formal extension of these two models to 2D processes is developed and implemented, and a comparison of both is presented. The proposed algorithms are tested using tomographic brain tumor data. Our simulation experiments offer promising results in the identification of such lesions.
Symmetrical Periumbilical Extension of a Midline Incision: A Simple Technique

Abstract Background: Periumbilical extension of midline incision often results in an irregular, unaesthetic scar with beveled edges. Technique: An Allis clamp is placed at the lateral margin of the umbilicus with subsequent medial traction. This straightens the proposed periumbilical incision, resulting in a symmetrical scar. Experience: We have used this technique extensively over the past several years with excellent results and no adverse sequelae. Conclusion: This simple technique results in the symmetrically curvilinear, nonbeveled periumbilical extension of a midline incision.
White hip-hoppers, language and identity in post-modern America, by C.A. Cutler

Sociolinguists have increasingly focused on ways in which linguistic features are used to signal various aspects of speakers’ identities. While a great deal of attention has been placed on the lang...
Tailored delivery of analgesic ziconotide across a blood brain barrier model using viral nanocontainers

The blood brain barrier (BBB) is often an insurmountable obstacle for a large number of candidate drugs, including peptides, antibiotics, and chemotherapeutic agents. Devising an adroit delivery method to cross the BBB is essential to unlocking widespread application of peptide therapeutics. Presented here is an engineered nanocontainer for delivering peptidic drugs across the BBB encapsulating the analgesic marine snail peptide ziconotide (Prialt®). We developed a bi-functional viral nanocontainer based on the Salmonella typhimurium bacteriophage P22 capsid, genetically incorporating ziconotide in the interior cavity, and chemically attaching cell penetrating HIV-Tat peptide on the exterior of the capsid. Virus like particles (VLPs) of P22 containing ziconotide were successfully transported in several BBB models of rat and human brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVEC) using a recyclable noncytotoxic endocytic pathway. This work demonstrates proof in principle for developing a possible alternative to intrathecal injection of ziconotide using a tunable VLP drug delivery nanocontainer to cross the BBB.
Gasoline Deposit Mechanism on Aluminum at Various Temperatures

Deposits formed due to spraying gasoline on heated aluminum tubes have been investigated for three different fuels ― a catalytic-cracked naphtha, a high-deposit fuel, and indolene clear. The high-deposit fuel was also used in developing the bench test conditions used to generate deposits in this work. Silica gel and clay treatment of the test fuels were performed to isolate potential deposit precursors prior to bench testing, to evaluate the magnitude of deposits formed, and to provide samples for chemical analysis. Through the use of ESCA, FTIR, GPC, and GC/MS techniques, the nature of deposits at different temperatures have been characterized, and the potential mechanisms discussed
Low-Level Symptoms of Depression in Mothers of Young Children are Associated with Behavior Problems in Middle Childhood.

Objectives Examine the association between mothers’ low- and high-level depressive symptoms in early childhood and children’s behavior problems in middle childhood. Methods We used data from 1844 families in a multi-site, longitudinal study beginning when children were 14 months and continuing to age 11 years. Children’s internalizing and externalizing behavior problems at age 11 were assessed using the child behavior checklist for ages 6–18. Mothers’ scores on the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale when children were 14 months were used to classify them into three groups: ‘no depressive symptoms’, ‘low-level depressive symptoms (below the clinical cut-off)’ and ‘clinically significant depressive symptoms (above the clinical cut-off).’ Results Mothers were racially/ethnically diverse, including Caucasian (38.9 %), African-American (34.4 %), Hispanic (21.6 %), or other (5.1 %). More than one-third (39.2 %) were teenaged mothers, and 46.0 % did not complete high school. Of the 1844 families, 1172 had age 11 child outcome data. Logistic regression analyses controlling for family demographics revealed a significant association between early maternal depressive symptoms and later child behavioral outcomes. Both low level and clinically significant symptoms were associated with internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. For example, children whose mothers had low-level depressive symptoms were twice as likely to have clinically elevated internalizing problems compared with children whose mothers never had symptoms of depression. Conclusions Children whose mothers experience low-level depressive symptoms early in their development have increased risk for later behavioral problems, suggesting a possible need for new screening and intervention strategies for mothers with lower than clinically elevated symptoms.
Abstract 4153: Molecular profiling of circulating tumor cells (CTC) in patients with castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) receiving abiraterone acetate (AA) after failure of docetaxel-based chemotherapy

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Background: Molecular profiles show consistent reactivation of AR in CRPC in part through overexpression of AR and of androgen-synthetic enzymes. AA inhibits CYP17 to decrease serum androgen to undetectable levels and was recently shown to confer a survival benefit for men with CRPC who have failed 1 or 2 chemotherapy regimens. Selecting targeted therapies in pts with CRPC remains a critical unmet need, where CTC are being tested as predictive biomarkers. The relevance of recurrent TMPRSS2:ERG rearrangement in CRPC remains poorly defined. Methods: AA (1000 mg QD PO) was studied in pts with CRPC who had progressed on docetaxel based chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was a ≥50% decline in PSA from baseline. Pre- and post-therapy CTC numbers were studied as response efficacy markers. The status AR and TMPRSS2:ERG was studied by FISH and multiplex RT-PCR, respectively, in enriched CTC. Results: 48 pts were treated, median (IQR) age was 73 years (63-79), PSA 99.9 ng/mL (36.4-343) and baseline CTC were 18 (4-49) per 7.5 ml of blood. Metastatic sites were bone alone in 10 pts, bone and lymph nodes in 21, 15 with visceral disease, and 2 with soft tissue alone. In 35 pts (73%) with ≥ 5 CTC at the start of treatment, 13 (37%, 95% CI 23-54%) pts had CTC decline to 50% PSA decline compared to 10/26 (38%) of pts without TMPRSS2:ERG. Conclusions: The significant relationship between clinical outcomes and changes in CTC number as biomarker of response efficacy warrants further testing in multiple prospective phase 3 trials. In this dataset, TMPRSS2:ERG status did not predict for changes in PSA. Additional follow up will be needed to explore associations with other clinical outcomes. Supported by: NCI SPORE in Prostate Cancer (P50 CA92629); Prostate Cancer Foundation; Mr. William H. Goodwin and Mrs. Alice Goodwin and the Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research, The Experimental Therapeutics Center of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Department of Defense PCRP PC081051. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4153. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4153
Overwintering Habits of Domestic Flies at Charleston, West Virginia

During the winter periods of 1950–51 and 1951–52, studies on the overwintering habits of certain domestic flies were conducted at Charleston, West Virginia. Principal emphasis was placed on those species which composed the major portions of the fly population during the fly season. These species were Phormia regina, Phaenicia sericata, Phaenicia caeruleiviridis, Phaenicia pallescens, Ophyra leucostoma, and Musca domestica. In addition, observations were also made on the prevalence and activity of the cool weather blow flies of the genera Calliphora and Cynomyopsis.
Can New Product Buyers be Identified

Insights into the characteristics of buyers and nonbuyers of a new branded detergent are given, which are based on measures obtained before and after the product's introduction.
Susceptibility of hop cultivars to downy mildew: associations with chemical characteristics and region of origin.

ABSTRACT Hop downy mildew (caused by Pseudoperonospora humuli) is a yield-limiting disease in many hop-production regions of the world. In this research, 110 cultivars that are or were widely grown...
Importance of Soil Properties on Recommended Biosolids Management for Winter Wheat

Environmental concerns and regulatory guidelines about winter N leaching limit fall biosolids applications to winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Virginia to a plant-available N (PAN) rate of ≤50 kg PAN ha⁻¹. Ten field studies were established in 2012 to 2014 in Virginia to determine the agronomic and environmental feasibility of fall biosolids applications to soft red winter wheat at the agronomic N rate (100 kg PAN ha⁻¹). Anaerobically digested and lime-stabilized biosolids were fall applied at rates of 100 and 50 kg PAN ha⁻¹. The 50 kg PAN ha⁻¹ biosolids treatments received 50 kg N ha⁻¹ as urea in spring. Urea-N was split applied at 0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha⁻¹, with 1/3 applied in fall and 2/3 in spring. Biosolids increased N use efficiency (NUE) by 0 to 27%, grain yield by 0 to 1.1 Mg ha⁻¹, and N recovery by 0 to 38% compared with agronomic N rate urea in coarse-textured soils, especially when lime-stabilized biosolids were used. Biosolids and agronomic rate urea typically resulted in equal NUE, grain yield, and N recovery in fine-textured soils, regardless of biosolids type or application strategy. Therefore, biosolids can be fall applied at the full agronomic N rate to winter wheat in coarse- and fine-textured soils in Virginia.
Properties of laboratory made yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) laminated veneer lumber: Effect of the adhesives

Four different commercial resin formulations namely cross-linked polyvinyl acetate (XPVAc), melamine urea formaldehyde (MUF), urea formaldehyde (UF) and melamine formaldehyde (MF) were used to produce laminated veneer lumber (LVL) from yellow poplar veneers in the laboratory. Physical and mechanical properties were evaluated using ASTM (D 1037, D 906, D 5456) standards and compared. Internal bond, tensile shear and block shear strengths of specimens subjected to accelerated (boiled water) and cyclic (repeated cold water) conditions were also determined. Strength properties of yellow poplar LVL were improved compared with the solid wood. The properties of XPVAc bonded LVL were superior or comparable to the thermosetting adhesives. This study clearly indicated that cross-linked PVAc can be used to manufacture LVL with acceptable properties.
A Local Approach to Optimal Queries

Abstract We examine the problem of self-directed learning using queries in contrast to learning from random examples. We argue that, to provide any significant improvement over learning from random examples, a self-directed learning algorithm must make use of sequential queries, that is, new query points must be selected based on the answers to previous queries. Additionally, to perform well in a complex domain, such an algorithm must distinguish between degrees of the relative utility of querying various points in the domain. We present an algorithm that implements these two guidelines to produce “optimal” queries for a single linear threshold unit, in the sense that these queries minimize the bound on possible error. The algorithm is generalized to networks of such neurons using a local approach where each unit attempts to minimize its perceived error.
Human kallikrein 13: Evaluation of its role in the degradation of extracellular matrix proteins and characterization of its substrate specificity

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 45, 2004 1818 In prostate cancer, as in other malignancies, the complex multi-step process of cancer invasion and metastasis involves both tumor and stromal cells interacting in a complex microenvironment. Migration and invasion are cellular events that require the participation of proteolytic enzymes such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), and Cathepsin D. Identification and characterization of molecular regulators of these proteases, and their pathways, are of critical importance in developing strategies designed to better control prostate cancer in the patient. Using a novel cloning strategy in our laboratory, we identified prosaposin as a secreted protein in a poorly differentiated androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line (PC-3). The studies reported herein continue our efforts to characterize the role of saposin C/prosaposin in prostate carcinogenesis and in the metastatic process. Prosaposin is the lysosmal precursor of four homologous sphingolipid activator proteins (saposin A-D) and also functions as a secretory protein with neurotrophic activities. The neurotrophic activity of prosaposin has been located at the amino-terminal portion of saposin C. We found a higher expression of prosaposin or saposin C in prostate stromal cells and androgen-independent prostate cancer cells-(PC-3 and DU-145) than in androgen-dependent LNCaP cells or normal prostate epithelial cells. Using in vitro invasion assay, saposin C stimulates migration and invasion of prostate cancer and stromal cells. To understand the underlying molecular mechanisms, we evaluated saposin C’s effects on the expression or activity of matrix-degrading enzymes (MMPs, uPA, and Cathepsins). Saposin C upregulated the uPA/uPAR and Cathepsin D mRNA and protein (both cellular and secreted forms) expression in these cells. In contrast, using immunoblotting and gelatin zymography, the expression or enzymatic activities of MMP-2 and –9 were not affected. Prostate stromal cell response in the above assays suggests that saposin C, acting via paracrine loops, may act as a potential mediator of tumor-stromal interaction in prostate cancer. Normal prostate epithelial cells were not responsive to saposin C treatment in this study. Our findings for the first time documented a novel regulatory role for saposin C (or prosaposin) in motility, invasion, and expression of uPA/uPAR/Cathepsin D in prostate cancer and stromal cells. Through these effects, saposin C may contribute to the invasive or metastatic potential of prostate cancer. Supported by Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, Louisiana State University-Health Sciences Center.