cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
First-Year Effects of an Engineering Professional Development Program on Elementary Teachers.

The ultimate objective of teacher professional development (TPD) is to deliver a positive impact on students’ engagement and performance in class through teacher practice via improving their content and pedagogical content knowledge and changing their attitudes toward the subject being taught. However, compared to other content areas, such as mathematics and science, relatively few engineering TPD programs have been developed, and there has been a lack of research on the effective practice of TPD for K-12 engineering education. As a part of a five-year longitudinal project, this study reports the first-year effect of TPD offered by the Institute for P-12 Engineering Research and Learning (INSPIRE) at Purdue University on elementary teachers integrating engineering. Thirty-two teachers of second through fourth grade from seven schools attended a one-week intensive Summer Academy and integrated engineering lessons throughout the year. Based on a pre- and post-test research design, multiple measures were utilized to examine changes in teachers’ knowledge and perceptions of engineering and their variations in knowledge and perceptions by school and teacher characteristics. Overall, teachers were satisfied with the engineering TPD program, significantly increased their engineering design process knowledge, and became more familiar with engineering. While teachers’ knowledge about engineering did not vary by school and teacher characteristics, some aspects of teachers’ percepti ons regarding engineering integration and their practice differed by school and teacher characteristics.
Sensitive low field Kerr electro-optic measurements in transformer oil

A frequency-selective amplifier was used to make sensitive Kerr electro-optic field mapping measurements with a small signal AC voltage superimposed on a DC level. With several different electrode materials, including brass, stainless steel, and aluminium, the authors have observed very significant levels of field distortion due to positive space charge on the order of 400 mu C/m/sup 3/. It was possible to measure field strengths as low as 100 V/cm with typical average field strengths tested over the range of 500 V/cm to 29 kV/cm. The transient evolution of these fields was also measured, showing the transition from a uniform to a highly nonuniform field on a time scale on the order of 60 s. >
Beneficial effect of cinacalcet in a child with familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia.

We describe a child with familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) in whom the hypercalcemia seemed to interfere with tissue healing after tympanoplasty. Consequently, he was placed on cinacalcet (30 mg/day), changed after 2 weeks to 60 mg/day. The treatment resulted in a decrease in serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) from 148 to 32 pg/mL (normal 7–75) and ionized calcium from 1.48 to 1.23 mmol/L (1.13–1.34), as well as successful healing of the revised surgical scar. Over the 12-month treatment period no complications were noted. We conclude that cinacalcet may be considered a new, and currently the only, tool in treating children with symptomatic FHH.
Maturation of tumours of the sympathetic nervous system

Summary A case interpreted as an example of maturation by a relatively undifferentiated tumour of the sympathetic nervous system is presented. The patient was found at age 2 years to have an inoperable intrathoracic tumour, histologically a poorly differentiated ganglioneuroma (ganglioneuroblastoma). Post-operative irradiation was given. At the time of death four years later, only well-differentiated ganglioneuroma was found.
Pavlov And Skinner: Two Lives In Science (An Introduction To B. F. Skinner's "Some Responses To The Stimulus 'Pavlov' ").

The sesquicentennial of Ivan Petrovich Pavlov's birth in September 1999 is being celebrated in Russia by a special issue of the Russian Journal of Physiology (the former I. M. Sechenov Physiological Journal, founded by Pavlov in 1917). The following article and the address by Skinner that it introduces are scheduled to appear in Russian translation in that special issue. Skinner's “Some Responses to the Stimulus ‘Pavlov’” was his presidential address to the Pavlovian Society of North America in 1966. The following article provides the context for Skinner's address by describing some ways in which Pavlov's research influenced Skinner's contributions.
Effect of Slider Burnish on Disk Damage During Dynamic Load/Unload

Two of the most difficult issues to resolve in current design of head/disk interface in magnetic recording devices are stiction and durability problems. One method of overcoming these problems is by implementing a technology known as load/unload, where the system is designed so that the slider never touches the disk surface. One potential problem with this type of system is slider/disk contact induced disk defects. The objective of this paper is to show that the likelihood of disk scratches caused by head/disk contacts during the load/unload process can be significantly decreased by rounding the edges of the air-bearing surface. Using the resistance method, we observe that head/disk contacts burnish the corners of the slider and thereby decrease exponentially with load/unload cycles. A well burnished slider rarely causes any disk damage thus resulting in an interface with significantly higher reliability. A simple Hertzian contact stress analysis indicates that the contact stress at the head/disk interface can be greatly decreased by increasing the radius of curvature of the air-bearing surface edges.
Relationship of Pretransplant Hepatobiliary Disease to Bile Duct Damage Occurring in the Liver Allograft

Histopathological features of nonsuppurative destructive cholangitis have been described in primary biliary cirrosis, chronic graft-vs.-host disease, and chronic rejection of human liver allografts. To determine whether or not susceptibility to injury of interlobular bile ducts was related to the original hepatobiliary disease requiring transplantation, we compared the histopathology of allografts transplanted into two groups of patients. The first group consisted of patients whose original hepatobiliary diseases primarily affect bile ducts: primary biliary cirrhosis, sclerosing cholangitis, and biliary atresia. The second group consisted of patients whose original hepatobiliary diseases do not result in injury to interlobular bile ducts. In 32 liver allografts studied histopatho-logically, the original disease did not recur. Interlobular bile duct damage occurred, however, in 17 of the 32 and resembled that seen in primary biliary cirrhosis. The spectrum of bile duct injury included mononuclear inflammation of the bile duct epithelium, destruction of the bile duct epithelium, and dissolution of the bile duct. There was no relationship between the frequency or severity of bile duct damage and original hepatobiliary disease, age, sex, duration of allograft survival, or cause of death. We conclude that nonsuppurative destructive cholangitis occurs frequently in liver allografts and represents one component of allograft rejection. This lesion resembles, in many respects, that seen in primary biliary cirrhosis so that histopathological differentiation may be difficult.
An Emergency Medicine Approach to Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia

Jaundice (also known as hyperbilirubinemia) is a yellowish-greenish pigmentation of the sclera and skin caused by an increase in bilirubin production or a defect in bilirubin elimination. Management of hyperbilirubinemia is one of the most common reasons for readmission of a newborn. Prolonged unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia can result in acute bilirubin encephalopathy and eventually develop into chronic bilirubin encephalopathy (kernicterus). Kernicterus, the feared complication of hyperbilirubinemia, was considered almost extinct but has recently reemerged despite virtual elimination of Rh disease. This review provides a systematic approach to the presentation, evaluation, and management of the jaundiced newborn.
Socioeconomic status, social support, age, and health.

This study examines the hypothesis that aspects of social relations moderate the relationship between SES and health; that is, this association varies with differences along four major dimensions of social relations: instrumental, emotional, and negative support, and network structure. In 1992, 923 white and black respondents aged 40 and over were interviewed as part of the Survey of Social Relations. 1 The sample was drawn from a stratified probability sample in the Detroit metropolitan area. Social relations variables included the number of people in social network, perceived instrumental support (whether spouse and child would provide care if respondent was ill), emotional support (whether respondent confides in spouse and child), and negative support (whether spouse and child get on the respondent’s nerves). Respondents rated all social support variables on a five-point scale (1, strongly agree; 5, strongly disagree). Education level was used as an SES indicator. Years of education were split into three groups: less than high school, high school, and more than high school. Health was measured by a global self-rated health question (5, poor; 1, excellent). Following Baron and Kenny, 2 we assessed the moderating impact of the social relations variables on the relationship between SES and health by regressing health on (1) the independent SES variable (education level), (2) the social relations variable that is hypothesized to be the moderator, and (3) the interaction of (1) and (2). A significant interaction term implies that the social relations variable is moderating the impact of SES on health. Analyses were conducted separately for each of two age groups: 40–59 and 60–93. Findings indicate that there is no interaction effect of SES and social network size on health. However, interaction effects are evident for instrumental, emotional, and negative support. These are summarized in T ABLE 1. Graphs of the significant interactions suggest complex associations among SES, social relations variables, and health. For example, F IGURE 1 demonstrates that respondents aged 40–59 with more than a high school education and who confide in their spouse are healthier than those who do not. This relationship was reversed among respondents with less than a high school education. However, in the 60–93 age group, health is about the same for all respondents who confide in their spouse. Among those in this age group who do not confide in their spouse, education level has a negative effect on health: people with less than a high school education report poorer health; those with more than a high school education report better health. A consistent pattern that emerged was that respondents in the middle education group (high school) were the least likely in both
Studies on the Effects of Surface-Active Agents on the Extraction of Crude Drugs

Experiments were made to evaluate the fundamental aspects of various types of surface-active agents with a variety of Structural differences, selected from anionic, cationic, and nonionic groups, on the extraction of crude drugs. It was found that the addition of a synthetic surface-active agent to an aqueous menstruum will tend to increase the rate of extraction of an alkaloidal crude hug. Anionic surface-active agents will precipitate alkaloids rind are not suitable for extraction of alkaloidal drugs. Cationic surface-active agents in the form of salts with mineral acids show the best results.
The utilization of selenomethionine by Escherichia coli.

Abstract The replacement of methionine by selenomethionine has been investigated in Escherichia coli . The analog is relatively non-toxic to growth of E. coli 26 at concentrations as high as 0.01 M, provided cysteine is added to the growth medium. dl -Selenomethionine, at 1·10 −4 M, causes a 95% reduction of methionine biosynthesis and is incorporated extensively into cellular proteins. The catalytic activity of β-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23) with 70–75% of its methionine residues replaced by selenomethionine, is the same as that of the unmodified enzyme. Although selenomethionine lengthens the generation time of E. coli 26, it has no effect on the overall rate of protein synthesis as measured by incorporation of [ 14 C]phenylalanine, provided no amino acids (other than methionine) are limiting. Under the same conditions however, the rate of β-galactosidase induction drops 35% when selenomethionine is substituted for methionine. The analog causes significant inhibition of both bulk protein and β-galactosidase synthesis of amino acids other than methionine are also limiting. Selenomethionine also supports the growth of a methionine-requiring auxotroph derived from E. coli 26, but no growth occurred in ethionine, norleucine, or α-methylmethionine. The growth of E. coli K 12, however, is markedly inhibited by 1·10 −4 M dl -selenomethionine whether or not cyst(e)ine is present.
Protein counterparts of human and simian cytomegaloviruses

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) proteins from isolates of both human (HCMV) and simian (SCMV) origin have been compared. Three classes were analyzed: the immediate-early (IE) proteins, other infected-cell-specific proteins not present in virus particles, and the proteins that constitute the mature extracellular virion. Comparisons were based on one- and two-dimensional (charge-size) separations in denaturing polyacrylamide gels, and on the selectivity of biosynthetic radiolabeling with [32P]orthophosphate and [3H]glucosamine. Results indicate that most, if not all, of the HCMV and SCMV proteins recognized, have counterparts in strain Colburn. As a group, the simian strains exhibit protein similarities that distinguish them from the human strains. Among the most diagnostic of these are the 205K and 145K virion proteins, each of which is about 7K smaller than its HCMV counterpart, and the predominant IE proteins, which are 10K to 20K (depending upon the strain) larger than their HCMV counterparts. The proteins of strain Colburn are shown to be more like those of the simian isolates than the human, and more like those of a vervet strain than rhesus. Leads provided by experiments using strain Colburn have aided in the identification of a previously unrecognized, abundant virion protein that is a principal phosphate acceptor, both in vivo and in vitro. Three additional phosphorylated proteins are identified in HCMV virions, as well as three glycoproteins. Only two HCMV strain-specific protein differences were detected by comparisons based on separation in SDS-containing polyacrylamide gels--one in the IE protein of strains Towne and Davis; the other in a virus capsid protein of strain AD169.
Blood traffic control

Red blood cell vasodilation: nitric oxide and haemoglobin help to match blood flow to metabolic demand.
Clash and harmony in promoting peace: Overview

The difficulties that beset the relationship between peace‐maintenance and humanitarian assistance are not only an outcome of operational complexity, but can first be located in the disjuncture between relatively new organizational forms and dynamics outside or at odds with formal legal and political structures. Issues of authority, control, coordination and accountability have become more vexed as the growth and diffusion of humanitarian actors and processes clash with state‐centric structures. The impacts on sovereign control, the roles of the UN agencies, the larger UN system and the prospects for its reform are considered, together with the prospects for institutional reforms and improvements to operational efficiency.
Dynamical interpolation of surface ocean chlorophyll fields via data assimilation with an iterative ensemble smoother

Abstract Inference of the sea surface chlorophyll field from incomplete satellite coverage is posed as a formal inverse problem using a Monte Carlo approach to Bayesian estimation. We introduce a new method, the strong constraint iterative ensemble smoother, for solving the general coupled physical–biological parameter estimation problem where model nonlinearities may be relevant. The forward model is posed in four ways: (1) advection–diffusion, (2) linear advection–diffusion-reaction, (3) nonlinear advection–diffusion-reaction, and (4) a nonlinear nutrient-phytoplankton model. Hindcast skill is demonstrated through analysis of the fit to independent data in a series of experiments utilizing MODIS chlorophyll imagery from the Middle Atlantic Bight during summer of 2006. The data assimilative model demonstrates skill over a range of presumed observational error. Both the purely physical model (advection–diffusion only) and the coupled physical–biological models exhibit skill fitting unassimilated data. The skill of the coupled physical–biological models is greater than the skill of the advection–diffusion model, owing at least in part to greater degrees of freedom in those inversions.
Finding min-repros in database software

Testing and debugging database system applications is often challenging and time consuming. A database tester (or DB tester for short) has to detect a problem, determine why it happened, set up an environment to reproduce it, and then create a fix to resolve the problem. In many cases, problems appear in complex scenarios, and thus the setup to reproduce a problem may be large and difficult to understand. This makes the task of finding the root cause of a problem very challenging. As a consequence, a very arduous task for a DB tester is finding a min-repro -- a process of weeding out irrelevant inputs and finding the simplest way to reproduce a problem. Currently, a great deal of searching for minrepros is carried out manually using non-database-specific tools, which is both slow and error-prone. In this paper, we present a system designed to ease and speed up searches for minrepros in database-related products. The min-repro system employs several effective tools, including: the novel simplification transformations, the high-level language for creating custom scripts and automation, the record-and-replay functionality, and the visualization of results and the search space. In addition to the standard application mode, the min-repro system can be interacted with in the game mode. The latter can provide an intrinsically motivating environment for developing successful search strategies, which can be data-mined and generalized into search patterns and used as recommendations for DB testers.
The influence of observer presence on baboon (Papio spp.) and rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) behavior

A common method for collecting behavioral data is through direct observations. However, there is very little information available on how a human observer affects the behavior of the animals being observed. This study assesses the effects of a human observer on the behavior of captive nonhuman primates. The subjects were 19 singly housed baboons (nine male, 10 female) and 20 singly housed rhesus macaques (10 male, 10 female) that were not habituated to the presence of an observer. Four 30-min observations were conducted on each animal. Two observations were conducted with an observer present ("present" condition), while the remaining two observations had no observer present ("absent" condition). All observations were recorded with a video camera and were balanced for time of day, with one of each type of observation taking place in the morning and afternoon. In the presence of an observer, appetitive behavior was significantly reduced in both species [F(1,35) = 8.22, P < 0.01]. When an observer was present, females of both species also rested more and performed fewer manipulative behaviors than males [rest: F(1,35) = 7.10, P < 0.05; manipulative: F(1,35) = 6.66, P < 0.05]. Likewise, macaques rested significantly more [F(1,35) = 11.62, P < 0.005] and exhibited fewer manipulative behaviors in the presence of an observer [F(1,35) = 11.06, P < 0.005], while baboons showed no change. Female macaques showed the greatest decrease in activity while an observer was present [F(1,35) = 4.22, P <0.05]. Based on these results, the presence of a human observer does appear to affect the behavior of unhabituated, singly housed baboons and macaques, but the effect differs by both sex and species.
Clofibrate and perfluorodecanoate both upregulate the expression of the pregnane X receptor but oppositely affect its ligand-dependent induction on cytochrome P450 3A23.

The pregnane X receptor (PXR) interacts with a vast array of structurally dissimilar chemicals and confers induction of several major types of drug metabolizing enzymes such as cytochrome P450s (CYP). We previously reported that the expression of PXR was markedly increased in rats treated with clofibrate and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA). The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that induced expression of PXR increases PXR ligand-dependent induction on CYP3A23. Rat hepatocytes were treated with clofibrate or PFDA individually, or along with PXR ligand pregnenolone 16α-carbonitrile (PCN), and the levels of PXR and CYP3A23 were determined by Western blots. Both clofibrate and PFDA markedly increased the expression of PXR with PFDA being more potent, and the induction was abolished by actinomycin D, an inhibitor for mRNA synthesis. As expected, PCN alone markedly induced the expression of CYP3A23. Interestingly, co-treatment with clofibrate enhanced the induction, whereas co-treatment with PFDA suppressed it. Clofibrate and PFDA represent multi-classes of chemicals called peroxisome proliferators including many therapeutic agents and industrial pollutants. The opposing effects of clofibrate and PFDA on the PCN-induced expression of CYP3A23 suggest that peroxisome proliferators likely increase the expression of PXR but differentially alter its ligand-dependent induction. The interaction between PXR inducer and ligand provides a novel mechanism on how functionally and structurally distinct chemicals cooperatively regulate the expression of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes and transporters.
Ethnicity, legal resources, and felony dispositions in two southwestern jurisdictions

Despite extensive research on differential justice, only a few studies have examined the dispositions of southwestern Hispanics. Hispanic defendants' ability to acquire legal resources—representation by private counsel and pretrial release—remains virtually unstudied. Our research extends knowledge in this area by examining the relationships of ethnicity and employment status to private counsel, pretrial release, and sentence severity in Bexar County and El Paso County, Texas. The legal resource and sentence severity variables were analyzed sequentially, approximating the relevant stages of criminal justice decision making. Examination of the legal resource effects in the two jurisdictions reveals that ethnicity and employment exerted indirect influences on sentence severity through the private attorney and bail variables; ethnicity also directly affected sentence severity in El Paso County. The findings show that ethnic minorities and the unemployed were disadvantaged in the sentencing process.
Internal consistency analysis: a method for studying the accuracy of function assessment for health outcome and quality of life evaluation

Social, mental and physical function are major components of health outcomes and health related life quality, but the accuracy of function measurement is difficult to study rigorously. Internal Consistency Analysis (ICA) uses multiple sources of evidence from a survey interview to study the accuracy of a classification. It was developed to study function classifications for a general health outcome measure, the Quality of Well-being (QWB) scale. ICA is described and evidence of its utility in improving the classifications needed for the QWB is presented.
Investigation of ultra-light weight proppant application in shale fracturing

Abstract Horizontal wells with long propped fractures are needed to maximize productivity for ultra-low permeability shale and tight reservoirs. Conventional slickwater fracturing with sand can produce long fractures, but only the near wellbore region is propped due to fast settling of sand in water. Ultra-light weight proppants (ULWPs) can be used to reduce proppant settling. A comprehensive investigation of ULWP performance in shale reservoirs has been conducted by utilizing fracture conductivity experiments, fracture modeling and reservoir simulation. Based on experimental fracture conductivity measurements, empirical conductivity correlations are developed for the three ULWPs as a function of proppant areal concentration at reservoir confining stress and temperature. A fracturing model is used to predict the proppant concentration distributions during fracturing operations from which conductivity distribution along fractures is estimated. The conductivity distribution is then put into a reservoir simulator to predict gas production from a fractured shale well. Simulation study shows that at the same injection concentration in slickwater, all three ULWPs create more propped area and longer propped distance than sand, but the fracture conductivity is significantly lower. ULWPs have strong productivity advantages over sand in 0.1 μD gas reservoir by creating more propped areas. The productivity advantage of using ULWPs decreases with increasing reservoir permeability and decreasing production time. For 1 year production and 0.1 μD shale reservoirs, the acceptable maximum price is $10/lb for ULW-1, $6/lb for ULW-2, and $2.5/lb for ULW-3. The maximum price increases as production time increases. By adding small amount of ULWPs into sand, both the high conductivity zone at the bottom and low conductivity zone at the upper and deeper zones can be achieved, which benefits both short and long-term production.
Hammar et al. reply

A Reply to the Comment by F. G. Monzon, H. X. Tang, and M. L. Roukes, and also to the Comment by B. J. van Wees.
Stimulus change dishabituates operant responding supported by water reinforcers

Abstract The present experiment examined whether habituation contributes to within-session decreases in operant responding for water reinforcers. The experiment asked if this responding can be dishabituated, a fundamental property of habituated behavior. During baseline, rats’ lever pressing was reinforced by water on a variable interval 15-s schedule. During experimental conditions, rats responded on the same schedule and a new stimulus was introduced for 5 min at 15, 30 or 45 min into the 60-min session. The new stimulus was extinction, continuous reinforcement or flashing lights in different conditions. Rate of responding primarily decreased within the session during baseline. Introducing a new stimulus sometimes suppressed (extinction, continuous reinforcement) and sometimes increased (flashing lights) responding while it was in effect. The new stimulus increased responding after it ended and before it was presented in the session. The results are incompatible with the idea that non-habituation satiety factors (e.g., cellular hydration and blood volume) contributed to within-session changes in responding. These satiety factors should increase with increases in consumption, decrease with decreases in consumption and remain constant with constant consumption of water. Nevertheless, all stimulus changes increased operant responding for water. These results support the idea that habituation contributes to within-session decreases in responding for water reinforcers.
Protein-DNA assemblies controlling lytic development of bacteriophage Mu.

Recent analysis of the mechanism and regulation of transposition by bacteriophage Mu has emphasized the importance of controlled assembly of specific protein—DNA complexes. Both the Mu transposase and the Mu repressor engage in multiple protein—protein and protein—DNa interactions that modulate the outcome of a phage infection.
Bed Rest During Pregnancy: Implications For Nursing

Research on nonpregnant individuals reveals that bed rest produces numerous adverse physical and psychosocial effects. Evidence shows that bed rest affects pregnant women in the same manner. This article provides an overview of the history of bed rest, research on the side effects of bed rest, and a discussion of the research that has been conducted on these side effects during pregnancy. Also discussed are implications for providing antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum nursing care.
Disruption of a temporal discrimination by the minor tranquilizer, oxazepam.

Minor tranquilizers typically fail to facilitate learned behaviors suppressed by CER or punishment. However, this study found a disruption of a temporal discrimination (Pavlovian Inhibition of Delay) based on conditioned suppression. After 230 trials for nine rats, greatest suppression occurred at the end of the CS (inhibition of delay). Drug, but not saline, disrupted this discrimination, and the data were interpreted in terms of Pavlovian excitation and inhibition.
A homology identification method that combines protein sequence and structure information

A new method is presented for identifying distantly related homologous proteins that are unrecognizable by conventional sequence comparison methods. The method combines information about functionally conserved sequence patterns with information about structure context. This information is encoded in stochastic discrete state-space models (DSMs) that comprise a new family of hidden Markov models. The new models are called sequence-pattern-embedded DSMs (pDSMs). This method can identify distantly related protein family members with a high sensitivity and specificity. The method is illustrated with trypsin-like serine proteases and globins. The strategy for building pDSMs is presented. The method has been validated using carefully constructed positive and negative control sets. In addition to the ability to recognize remote homologs, pDSM sequence analysis predicts secondary structures with higher sensitivity, specificity, and Q3 accuracy than DSM analysis, which omits information about conserved sequence patterns. The identification of trypsin-like serine proteases in new genomes is discussed.
Octahedral Metal Carbonyls. XXIV1 Kinetics and Mechanism of Reactions of Methyllithium with Group VI-B Metal Carbonyls and Derivatives

Abstract Sir: While it is well established that reactions of strongly nucleophilic reagents such as organolithiums with metal carbonyls, e.g.
Inference in dynamic models containing 'surprise' variables

Abstract Some new results on calculating moving average representation (MAR) coefficients and their limiting distribution from estimated vector ARMA processes are presented. The technique is applied to the problem of estimating the coefficients of unanticipated or ‘surprise’ variables in a single equation for a multi-period expectations horizon. The method naturally conditions the expectations on all past values of the process and avoids the necessity of using two-step regression procedures and adjusting the resulting standard errors.
Gender differences in prospectively versus retrospectively assessed smoking withdrawal symptoms

Investigations of gender differences in the frequency and/or intensity of smoking withdrawal symptomatology have yielded conflicting findings. Several studies using measures collected both before abstinence and at the peak of symptomatology have failed to find gender differences. Yet, when asked to rate symptomatology experienced during past quit attempts, women have repeatedly been shown to endorse significantly more symptomatology than men. A possible explanation is that, although men and women show no differences when rating symptoms prospectively, women remember their past withdrawal symptoms as being more severe than do men, either because women exaggerate the difficulties they experience or because men downplay them. To test this hypothesis, and to determine whether men or women were more accurate in their recollections, we combined data from two studies in which subjects were asked to assess symptoms prospectively following 2 days of abstinence, and also to rate withdrawal during past quit attempts. As predicted, we found the effects of abstinence to be similar when assessed prospectively but different when assessed retrospectively, with women reporting more symptomatology than men. Men whose retrospective and prospective responses were discordant consistently underestimated the likelihood of experiencing symptomatology; women showed no consistent trends. The total number of symptoms reported retrospectively by women was similar to the total number reported prospectively, whereas men significantly underestimated the number of symptoms that they actually experienced. These findings may suggest ways in which treatment strategies can be tailored to the differences between male and female styles in recalling past experiences with abstinence from smoking.
Resolution of obstructive sleep apnea after laparoscopic gastric bypass.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common condition in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.The aim of this study was to determine the clinical outcome of a cohort of morbidly obese patients with documented sleep apnea who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en- Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP). 56 morbidly obese patients with documented sleep apnea by polysomnography underwent LRYGBP. There were 36 females with mean age 46 years and mean BMI 49 kg/m2.The Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) scores and the number of patients requiring the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy were recorded preoperatively and at 3-month intervals. The mean length of sleep apnea condition was 44 ±55 months. Preoperative polysomnography scores were classified as severe in 50% of patients, moderate in 30%, and mild in 20%. 29 of 56 (52%) patients required CPAP therapy preoperatively. The mean excess body weight loss was 73 ±3% at 12 months. The mean ESS score decreased from 13.7 preoperatively to 5.3 at 1 month postoperatively (P<0.05) and maintained below the threshold level (<7) for the entire 12 months of follow-up. Of the 29 patients requiring preoperative CPAP, only 4 (14%) patients required CPAP at 3 months postoperatively and none required CPAP at 9 months. Weight loss associated with LRYGBP significantly improves the symptoms of sleep apnea and is effective in discontinuation in the clinical use of CPAP therapy. Improvement of obstructive sleep apnea symptoms occur as early as 1 month postoperatively.
Long-Term Outcome of Perineoplasty for Vulvar Vestibulitis

ABSTRACT Our objective was to ascertain the long-term outcome of perineoplasty in the treatment of vulvar vestibulitis and to search for variables associated with a successful outcome. Treatment success and failure were compared across subgroups defined by age, parity, duration of symptoms, type of pathology, degree of partner support, psychiatric history, sexual abuse history, and the patient's opinion of the postoperative appearance. This was a hospital-based study of 93 patients undergoing perineoplasty for vulvar vestibulitis. We report on long-term (greater than 48 months) postoperative outcome and compare successful and failed cases over selected patient variables. Overall outcome was found to be 51 of 93 (54.8%) "asymptomatic," 31 of 93 (33.3%) "minimally symptomatic," 7 of 93 (7.5%) "unchanged," and 4 of 93 (4.3%) "worse" symptoms. Differences in surgical success across subgroups for age, parity, duration of symptoms, type of pathology, degree of partner support, psychiatric history, sexual abuse ...
Valve membrane adhesion as a cause of Ahmed glaucoma valve failure.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe a possible mechanism of failure of the Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV; New World Medical, Rancho Cucamonga, CA). Method Two AGVS that failed to control intraocular pressure (IOP) were examined. In vivo examination consisted of unroofing the capsule surrounding the implant and injecting fluorescein-stained balanced salt solution into the tube. In one case the entire implant was removed and examined in vitro, and in the other case only the valve portion was removed. Result No flow in either case extended beyond the valve. In both cases, the membrane valve system was found to be fused and could not be pulled apart. Conclusion Failure of the AGV may occur due to adhesion of the valve membranes.
A Family Empowerment Intervention for families of juvenile offenders

This paper presents a summary of the Family Empowerment Intervention (FEI), a family systems intervention delivered in the home by well-trained, nontherapists. The effectiveness of this service-based intervention is being evaluated in a randomized trial of 720 families of juvenile offenders in Tampa, Florida. Beside the intensive intervention period of three weekly family visits over 10 weeks, FEI includes monthly phone contact and a standardized protocol for further interventions being delivered by telephone or at home, plus an extensive service linkage component. We discuss the theoretical framework of this intervention, its goals, stages, and phases of implementation. Staff selection, training, and supervision are addressed, as well as are crisis intervention and staff safety issues.
Extended Range Proteomic Analysis (ERPA): a new and sensitive LC-MS platform for high sequence coverage of complex proteins with extensive post-translational modifications-comprehensive analysis of beta-casein and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).

We have developed a new and sensitive LC−MS platform, Extended Range Proteomic Analysis (ERPA), which is able to achieve very high sequence coverage and comprehensive characterization of post-translational modifications in complex proteins. This new platform provides advantages of both the top-down and bottom-up proteomic approaches by combining (i) digestion of the protein with an enzyme, such as Lys-C, which cuts less frequently than trypsin, leading to on average a higher molecular weight peptide size, (ii) high-performance LC separation of the resulting fragments, (iii) a new data acquisition strategy using the LTQ-FTMS, a hybrid mass spectrometer that couples a linear ion trap with a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) cell, for analysis of peptides in the range of 0.5 to 10 kDa, and (iv) new data analysis methods for assigning large peptide structures and determining the site of attachment of post-translational modifications as well as structural features from the accurate precursor ma...
Symmetrizing: On media attention to intergroup conflict

Some 50 years ago, a group of us (Crain, Katz, & Rosenthal, 1965) were studying the dynamics of “fluoridation fights.” Fearful of taking an unpopular position, city after city in the US (and abroad...
Children's internal representations, empathy, and fantasy play: a validity study of the SCORS-Q.

The authors investigated relationships among internal representations, empathy, and affective and cognitive processes in fantasy play to test the validity of the Social Cognition and Object Relations Scale Q-Sort (SCORS-Q: D. Westen, 1995) with children. Eighty-six 8-10-year-olds were administered 8 Thematic Apperception Test cards, a standardized play task, and a self-report empathy measure. Teachers rated children's empathy and helpfulness. As predicted, internal representations were related to empathy, helpfulness, and quality of fantasy play. Developmental differences on the SCORS-Q were consistent with object relations theory and with results from the original SCORS. The findings support the value of internal representations as a means of understanding children's interpersonal functioning and contribute to the validity of the SCORS-Q for use with children.
Solution of the discrete Plateau problem.

Abstract We solve a discrete version of the classic Plateau problem, which asks for a minimal surface spanning a given curve. Our algorithm is based on a network-flow formulation that finds minimal slabs, intuitively corresponding to minimal "surfaces" of prescribed thickness. We let the slab thickness approach zero in order to obtain the desired minimal surface.
Constitutive integrative recombination by bacteriophage λ

Abstract Bacteriophage λ retains the capacity for a low level of site-specific recombination in a repressed lysogen. This constitutive recombination is highly asymmetric in that integrative recombination is much more efficient than excisive recombination. The existence of a low level of integrative but not excisive recombination may serve to confer added stability on the prophage state.
Miniature surgical robot for laparoendoscopic single-incision colectomy

Background This study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of using a multifunctional miniature in vivo robotic platform to perform a single-incision colectomy. Standard laparoscopic techniques require multiple ports. A miniature robotic platform to be inserted completely into the peritoneal cavity through a single incision has been designed and built. The robot can be quickly repositioned, thus enabling multiquadrant access to the abdominal cavity.
ENHANCEMENT OF MITOMYCIN C-INDUCED BREAKDOWN OF DNA BY INHIBITORS OF PROTEIN SYNTHESIS.

Abstract The inhibition of protein synthesis in mitomycin C-treated Escherichia coli B 3 enhances the mitomycin C-induced DNA breakdown. This observation, taken together with the report by Doudney on chloramphenicol-induced DNA breakdown in post ultraviolet irradiated bacteria, suggests an unexpected relationship between protein synthesis and DNA stability in bacterial cells.
Elder Abuse and Neglect Among Rural and Urban Women

ABSTRACT Unlike urban older women, rural older women have inadequate health care and limited access to aging network services. Rural women who are part of dysfunctional family relationships are particularly disadvantaged in that they may not be able to gain access to preventive services due to isolation. Indeed, geographic and social isolation, family obligation, and caregiver stress are deemed leading contributory factors to family violence in rural settings. This study examined six forms of substantiated elder abuse, a form of family violence, among rural and urban women. Chi-square analysis and proportions were used to examine differences between 7,178 rural and 7,614 urban female victims, as were demographic characteristics of abusers. More rural women were represented in physical abuse (χ2 = 10.906; P = .001), emotional abuse (χ2 = 25.951; P < .001), and deprivation (χ2 = 3.662; P = .056) categories than urban women. Urban women were represented in the passive neglect category (χ2 = 8.186; P = .004) ...
Glutamine: role in critical illness and ongoing clinical trials

PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review will assess recent clinical and mechanistic data examining glutamine's ability to reduce morbidity and mortality in critical illness. RECENT FINDINGS Updated metaanalysis data reveal a significant benefit of glutamine supplementation on mortality, length of stay, and infectious morbidity in critical illness. Recent data support glutamine's use in critically ill patients requiring parenteral nutrition and new data reveal safety and efficacy in head-injured patients. Further, new findings on glutamine's beneficial effect on insulin resistance in critical illness will be reviewed. Recent laboratory data have clarified a number of key mechanistic pathways by which glutamine may improve outcome in critical illness. SUMMARY Severe glutamine deficiencies occur rapidly in critical illness. The magnitude of glutamine deficiency is correlated with ICU mortality. Further, metaanalysis reveals glutamine reduces morbidity and mortality in critical illness. It is likely that our new understanding of the molecular pathways by which glutamine acts will lead to insight on how best to utilize glutamine as a nutritional therapy. Presently, randomized, multicenter clinical trials utilizing glutamine as both nutritional replacement and pharmacologic intervention, independent of nutritional needs, are ongoing.
Performance certification of interconnected nonlinear systems using ADMM

We present a compositional performance certification method for interconnected nonlinear systems, using dissipativity properties of the subsystems along with the interconnection structure. To select the most relevant dissipativity properties, we formulate a large-scale optimization problem, and solve it with the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM). The dissipativity properties are allowed to depend on an unknown equilibrium, enabling us to certify performance without explicit knowledge of the equilibrium for the interconnected system. The effectiveness of the algorithm is demonstrated on two examples, including a model of vehicle platoons.
History of pay equity studies

Emperical estimates of salary differentials by race and sex for academic employees are presented by decade, along with proposed explanations of pay gaps.
Single-molecule imaging reveals mechanisms of protein disruption by a DNA translocase

In physiological settings, nucleic-acid translocases must act on substrates occupied by other proteins, and an increasingly appreciated role of translocases is to catalyse protein displacement from RNA and DNA. However, little is known regarding the inevitable collisions that must occur, and the fate of protein obstacles and the mechanisms by which they are evicted from DNA remain unexplored. Here we sought to establish the mechanistic basis for protein displacement from DNA using RecBCD as a model system. Using nanofabricated curtains of DNA and multicolour single-molecule microscopy, we visualized collisions between a model translocase and different DNA-bound proteins in real time. We show that the DNA translocase RecBCD can disrupt core RNA polymerase, holoenzymes, stalled elongation complexes and transcribing RNA polymerases in either head-to-head or head-to-tail orientations, as well as EcoRI(E111Q), lac repressor and even nucleosomes. RecBCD did not pause during collisions and often pushed proteins thousands of base pairs before evicting them from DNA. We conclude that RecBCD overwhelms obstacles through direct transduction of chemomechanical force with no need for specific protein-protein interactions, and that proteins can be removed from DNA through active disruption mechanisms that act on a transition state intermediate as they are pushed from one nonspecific site to the next.
Healthy newborns' neurobehavior: norms and relations to medical and demographic factors.

Objective To generate neurobehavioral norms for an unselected random sample of clinically healthy newborns by examining the newborns with use of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS). Study design We recruited 344 healthy mothers and newborns from a well-child nursery. The NNNS, a 128-item assessment of infant neurobehavior, was used to examine newborn performance. Associations between 11 NNNS summary scales and the stress/abstinence scale, as well as medical and demographic variables, were evaluated. Mean, SD, and 5th and 95th percentile values for the summary scores of the NNNS are presented. Results NNNS scores from the 10th to the 90th percentile represent a range of normative performance. Performance on different neurobehavioral domains was related to marital status, ethnicity, prenatal, intrapartum and neonatal risk factors, complications during labor/delivery, cesarean delivery, gestational age, the age of the newborn at testing, and infant sex. Conclusion These data provide clinicians and researchers with normative data for evaluation of newborn neurobehavior. Even in a low-risk sample, medical and demographic factors below clinical cut-offs were related to newborn performance. Infants with scores outside the ranges for the 11 NNNS summary scores and the stress/abstinence scale may need further observation and, if necessary, early intervention.